The pitter-patter of tiny hooves can be heard around Norfolk-based horse sanctuary Redwings.

Eastern Daily Press: Max with mum Charlotte at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Courtesy of RedwingsMax with mum Charlotte at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Courtesy of Redwings (Image: Archant)

The sanctuary's vets and horse care teams are hailing a summer baby boom after helping a flurry of newborn foals take their first teetering steps into the world, as well as caring for a donkey foal who arrived earlier this year at just 10 days old.

Lynn Cutress, Redwings' chief executive, said: 'Over the last 12 months, we've rescued several large groups of ponies from terrible conditions and, inevitably, discovered many of the mares to be in foal when they arrived at the sanctuary. We're always so proud to be able to give these horses the chance to bring their babies into the world in a safe, loving environment.'

Chad, one new arrival, was born to mare Brook, who was one of a group of six ponies rescued in January this year having been found very thin and suffering from high worm burdens and overgrown feet at a site near Ipswich.

They were named after Suffolk rivers in a nod to where they are from. Redwings has also welcomed three young ponies, Peaches, Sophie and Roald, who were born to mares Mrs Clonkers, Roly Poly and Beauregarde.

Eastern Daily Press: Roald with mum Beauregarde at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of RedwingsRoald with mum Beauregarde at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of Redwings (Image: Archant)

The mothers were born along with 13 others struggling to survive in bleak conditions on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall last September.

Each member of this gorgeous group was named after Roald Dahl and his famous characters in honour of what would have been the author's 100th birthday.

And while the newborn ponies under the watchful eye of Redwings' vets at sites, including at Aylsham and Hapton, which are closed to the public, fluffy donkey foal Amos has been spending his first summer enjoying fuss from crowds at the charity's Caldecott visitor centre, near Great Yarmouth.

Amos came to Redwings alongside his mum Matilda and dad Jeremiah in January, after their previous owner began to struggle to look after them and contacted the charity for help.

Eastern Daily Press: Chad, middle, with mum Brook, left, and sister Blyth, right, at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of RedwingsChad, middle, with mum Brook, left, and sister Blyth, right, at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of Redwings (Image: Archant)

Ms Cutress said: 'Happily, they're all doing well now. We promise a safe home for life to all foals who are born at Redwings or are taken into our care, like Amos.' She thanked the charity's supporters for their donations.

Redwings is a publicly-funded charity, to find out more or donate, visit www.redwings.org.uk

Eastern Daily Press: Sophie at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of RedwingsSophie at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of Redwings (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Big Star with mum Helen at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of RedwingsBig Star with mum Helen at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of Redwings (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Amos, now, at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of RedwingsAmos, now, at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Picture: Courtesy of Redwings (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Peaches at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Courtesy of RedwingsPeaches at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Courtesy of Redwings (Image: Archant)