Foal critically ill after 'prank'

Twinkle was found wandering in a Cornish lane

A tiny foal is fighting for her life after being found abandoned in a country lane in Cornwall.

The foal, named Twinkle, was discovered in a cold and weak state at Trewint, near Launceston.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals fears she may have been stolen from her mother and dumped as a prank.

Vets are giving her 24-hour care, and although her survival hopes are slim, they say she is responding well.

Hannes Tanzer, of the Penmellyn Veterinary Group, said: "The foal show signs of brain damage.

"She has a reduced perception of her environment.

Twinkle is fed milk every two hours by tube

"She seems to have only a glimpse of vision and doesn't respond to noises, although she can move in a co-ordinated way."

Twinkle has to be fed milk every two hours via a tube to keep her alive.

Vets say the brain damage could have been caused during birth.

A final decision on Twinkle's future will be made on Monday.