A neglected donkey saved from an abattoir by an animal sanctuary has given birth to a healthy foal.

The Flicka Foundation said donkey Finty had arrived at the sanctuary in Penryn, a year ago in a "bad way".

She had been neglected for many years and was about to be taken to the abattoir, along with her companion donkey Frieda, following the death of her owner.

Finty was pregnant when she arrived at the sanctuary and staff had their suspicions that she may be in foal several months ago.

Describing the condition of the rescued pair, the charity said they had been emaciated, dirty, suffering a skin condition and had difficulty walking due to deformed and overgrown feet.

Frieda recently died despite receiving specialist care despite specialist veterinary care and attention.

Staff at the donkey sanctuary welcomed the arrival of Finty's baby boy late Sammy on Monday night.

Flicka's director Judy Giles was there to witness the birth.

She said: “Even though Finty’s foal wasn’t planned, the miracle of witnessing a new life born is just an incredible privilege.”

The charity said it was possible she had previously been used as a breeding animal.

Finty is named after Flicka Ambassador Dame Judi Dench’s daughter and her little foal has been named Sammy, after Judi’s grandson.

Mum and baby will be given all the specialised care and attention they need, said the charity and will "never face the trauma of being forcibly separated".

Judy added: “Seeing Finty so attentive and gentle with her new foal is amazing, but a stark reminder of the cruelty that many of the rescued donkeys at our sanctuary have suffered; taken from their mothers far too young to be sold at live animal markets.”

The charity also gets many requests to take more unwanted donkeys and horses who now total over 100 individuals.