A BLACK sheep who was left out in the cold after being orphaned has a new family.

Lou the lamb, adopted by Lower Shaw Farm, has already begun to feel the effects of a loving family, as she now resembles a cuddly dog' rather than a cold Welsh mountain sheep.

Lou-Lou, as she is now called, was featured in the Adver two weeks ago after dogs mauled her mum.

But one of the farm workers who saw the article thought the farm, in Old Shaw Lane, would be a great place to raise her.

Melissa McBride, the farm's Canadian shepherdess said although most lambs would normally be left outside, Lou-Lou prefers the comforts of home and sleeps next to a coal-powered stove.

"She lives in the dairy, which is the farm common room and sleeps by the Rayburn, which to the touch is very hot," said the 31-year-old.

"She has become a part of the family, she loves Max the dog but he is jealous of her.

"Lou-Lou is very bold and has loads of personality.

"She is very girly and often just skips and prances about the house.

"I love to cuddle with her and she enjoys it as well. I may have overdone it though!

"Now she lies like a baby in my arms and can stay there all evening.

"Half the time she just follows me around the farm nipping at my trousers.

"Although the other sheep are a bit frightened of her she doesn't mind as she is quite brave and feels at ease with them."

Melissa believes the farm is the ideal place to raise Lou-Lou, who is bottle-fed, as it has all the benefits of a loving family in a farm atmosphere.

She added: "We have a lot more land at the farm than other places, we have animals for her to bond with and loving people to take care of her too."

Lou-Lou's mum died after being attacked by a pair of huskies on January 19.

The little one was saved after a passing dog walker managed to snatch her to safety and call the police.

She had not even opened her eyes when the attack happened, in a field on the edge of Lyneham.

Melissa says Lou-Lou is a Welsh Black Mountain cross breed and they expect her to eventually reach about 100lbs in weight.

But Melissa said there is no chance of her ever being turned into rack of lamb as that was one of the conditions upon her adoption.