Newborn foals found abandoned on side of the motorway

Abandoned foals Bill and Ben were found in a field next to the motorway. Photo provided by North Yorkshire Police.

The young animals, now named Bill and Ben by police officers, were found frightened in a field on the side of the A19.

There was no fence between them and the busy motorway - meaning they could have been seriously hurt.

A landowner found the abandoned foals on his land near Balne, Selby and called the police.

North Yorkshire officers contacted horse charities for assistance.

With their help and help from the public, the foals were rounded-up safely into a temporary pen.

They are now waiting to be old enough to be re-homed.

North Yorkshire Police shared Bill and Ben's story on Facebook.

The team said: "In the early morning of 5 September we received a call from a member of the public who had found two abandoned foals on his land near Balne, Selby.

"The two youngsters were frightened and in a field with no fence between them and the busy A19.

"We contacted horse charities World Horse Welfare and Bransby Horses - Rescue and Welfare for assistance, as well as the RSPCA (England & Wales), and with the help of members of the public, we were able to round-up the foals safely into a temporary pen.

"World Horse Welfare Field Officer, Sarah Tucker, checked the foals over and gave them a much-needed drink of water before we arranged for them to be transported to a private boarding yard.

"PC Sarah Ward named this super-cute pair, Bill and Ben.

"The foals are both well and as no owner can be located, they will be rehomed once they are old enough."

Officers have asked anyone with information about the circumstances which may have led to these foals being abandoned then to call 101 quoting reference number: 12190164691.