Holidaymakers found room at the inn for a dying mule - who then gave birth to a surprise real life 'little donkey' in a festive miracle.

Sue Toach, 52, was due to fly out to Boa Vista, Cape Verde, when she spotted a post on their hotel Facebook page about a dying donkey found stranded on the beach.

Animal lover Sue and her husband, Andy, 54, purchased some supplies to take in a bid to save the skeletal and sick donkey - named Bella-Riu - from death.

On arrival, Sue, a community safety educator, and Andy, a service engineer, teamed up with other hotel guests and local tour guides to get a vet out to get Bella treatment.

They then managed to find a home for her at a local riding centre and, just days later, Bella gave birth - in the stable - when nobody had even known she was pregnant.

Now fast-recovering Bella and her surprise son - their very own 'little donkey' - named 'Spaghetti', live happily in their new home.