Dudley Zoo welcomed a new arrival on the hottest day of the year and brought a little taste of Christmas as temperatures soared.

Seven-year-old Reindeer Lily gave birth to a baby in the early hours of Tuesday and the calf took its first steps outside yesterday morning.

Reindeer calves are typically born around April and births at this time of year are fairly rare. 

Senior Keeper Sarah Evans said rutting season usually begins in September, but a new alpha male was brought in to the herd shortly before Christmas.