A country walk turned into a veterinary drama for Oxfordshire MP David Cameron - when he helped deliver two baby lambs.
The Witney MP and Tory leader, who was out for a walk with his wife Samantha and their three children near his Chadlington home, rolled up his sleeves and mucked in to help farmer Julian Tustian who was struggling with a distressed ewe which was about to give birth.
In scenes reminiscent of an episode from All Creatures Great and Small, Mr Cameron, 41, got down on his knees in the stable in Dean, and held down the pregnant ewe for 15 minutes.
After the two lambs were delivered on Friday, Mr Cameron took his three-year-old daughter Nancy to see the new-born animals.
Mr Tustian, 39, said: "He was literally passing by and said he would come over and show Nancy the new born lambs.
"When he came over I had my arms up inside the ewe.
"He held the ewe down and said 'my hands are smaller - shall I give you a hand?'"
The routine delivery turned difficult when Mr Tustian realised the first lamb was breach and becoming distressed.
He said: "It was a big sheep and obviously they struggle, so it is always handy to have some help.
"A lot of people would not even be able to look.
"He left Nancy outside the stable so she would not see the blood and gore.
"I don't care who they are - they can come and help me and get covered in muck."
The first lamb died after three hours having become starved of oxygen during birth.
But the second lamb, is doing well - and has been named Dave in honour of the man who helped deliver it.
Mr Tustian said: "I'm not one of these nutty people that have named all their sheep - it's just about half-a-dozen of the best ones that we take to shows."
Mr Tustian lives with his partner Lena, 42, and their four children.
He said Mr Cameron had previously brought his children to see the farm's piglets and puppies - and had even tried his hand at milking goats earlier this summer.
Mr Tustian added: "Quite a few people have said 'that confirms my vote now'."
Mr Cameron was unavailable for comment last night but his spokesman said: "He was obviously delighted he could help and is pleased the lamb that survived is doing quite well."
When asked whether Mr Cameron knew the lamb had been named after him she added: "I don't think he did know about that - but it's very flattering."
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