Joe Smith was midwife to an unusual birth this week.

The organic farmer, of Redlands Farm, Wanborough, helped one of his cows give birth to triplets.

"We've never had triplets here before," he said.

"We've had twins, which are themselves few and far between, but triplets are very rare indeed."

Mr Smith had anticipated a pair of calves, and made them comfortable before leaving for a couple of hours.

"By the time I came back to check on them a third had come out," he said. "I was very surprised, and elated."

The triplets born on Tuesday night are heifers, and Mr Smith said they would be introduced into the milking herd in two years' time to produce organic milk for consumption throughout the UK.

Redlands Farm converted to organic methods two years ago.

The farmer said it would be nice to think his refusal to use nitrogen fertiliser on the land may have contributed to the triple birth.