RSPCA inspectors were called in after a pregnant nanny goat fell on to a cliff ledge and gave birth.

Mother and baby are now doing fine after their escapade which took the pregnant nanny over the edge at Castle Rock in Lynton's Valley of Rocks.

RSPCA spokeswoman Jo Barr said members of the public had reported the goat on the ledge and inspectors were sent out last week to assess the situation. "They could see that the goat had access to food and water and to shelter from over-hanging rocks on the ledge, so it was all right and we got a rescue team out as soon as we could," she said.

"When they arrived the nanny goat, which was identified by locals, had made it up to the top on her own, but her kid was not with her and we were aware it would have been too young to climb back up alone.

"Two RSPCA inspectors abseiled down to the ledge which was about 100ft down from the top. Initially there was no sign of the kid but it was eventually found hidden in a tiny hole on the ledge which was about one metre wide.

"The inspectors picked up the kid, which was between three and five days old and one of the inspectors, Will Hendry, carried it in a bag over his shoulder and with the assistance of Inspector Marija Zwager they climbed back to the top.

"Once there, the kid was reunited with the nanny goat and was happily feeding, none-the-worse for his ordeal."

Chief Inspector Neil Thomas who took part in the rescue said: "As the kid was only a few days old and not be able to get off the ledge itself, we had to make every effort to rescue it and reunite it with its mother."