Surprise baby joy for guinea pigs

Shelter staff said the guinea pigs have "lovely characters"

An animal rescue centre has been left with an unexpected litter of 22 guinea pigs after seven mothers gave birth at the same time.

The expectant mothers were in a group of 10 handed to the Blue Cross Centre in Burford, Oxfordshire, by an owner who could no longer look after them.

Staff discovered two of the group were male - and all but one of the females were expecting their own new arrivals.

Now the centre is appealing to people to give parents and babies a new home.

Helen Wright, deputy centre manager, said: "Staff have done really well to look after 22 bundles of joy.

"We would love to rehome the parent guinea pigs too now, as they all have lovely characters and deserve to be well looked after in new homes.

"Prospective owners should come and meet them as they're great pets."