Afew years ago, there were thought to be only 50 kune kune pigs left in the world.

Now, thanks to a new mum called Fergie, there are almost a quarter of that number in one pigsty in Wiltshire.

For Fergie – named after the erstwhile royal because of her ginger hair – has given birth to an incredible litter of a dozen kune kune piglets.

There were 13 originally, but sadly one didn't make it.

And this rare New Zealand breed of pig, famed for its friendly temperament and dumpy build, is now slightly less rare than it was at the start of last week.

The piglets, pictured here by Western Daily Press photographer Paul Stallard, were born on Tuesday night at Abbey View Alpacas, the menagerie on the edge of Malmesbury kept by Phil and Debbie Neal. There they have alpacas, goats, geese, dogs, chickens, turkeys and a huge rabbit among their Dr Dolittle-like collection.

Fergie the pot-bellied kune kune – pronounced coonie coonie – has become the star attraction after producing the litter.

"We were up with her on Tuesday night and after she had eight we thought that was it so we left her for the night," said Phil. "When we came back the next morning there were more – 13 in all.

"The 13th one was too weak and never made it.

"We had been feeding Fergie fresh fruit and veg left over from the markets, including lots of bananas, so we're wondering whether that had anything to do with it, after all bananas are supposed to give you energy."

Debbie has been ensuring that each of the piglets – which are a range of colours from ginger and gold to brown – gets its fair share of mother's milk.

"She's only got 10 teats so someone has to wait their turn, but they've been thriving and getting about all over the place.

"There are a couple that are a bit smaller, but they've been doing OK. How they sleep is that they all pile on top of one another and they seem to be pretty satisfied," she added.

The kune kune – kune means chubby in Maori – nearly died out in the 1980s when there were believed to be just 50 pure-breds left. But a breeding programme in New Zealand and the Uk hss restored numbers .

The breed evolved after whalers and traders introduced an Asian pig variety to New Zealand.

Visitors wanting to get a close look at the piglets can do so by appointment on 01666 823124.