An orphaned baby deer has becomes best friends with its keeper's baby.

The deer, named Ziggy, was rescued and taken in by Jeremy Goldsmith, who runs Mountfitchet Castle, a Norman castle and museum.

The fawn, believed to be a two-month-old, was spotted on the side of a road in Stanstead Mountfitchet, Essex after its mother was hit by a car.



A passer-by called Mountfitchet Castle who thankfully took in the deer and gave it a warm shed to sleep in.

In just a few hours, Ziggy settled well in her new environment and has even become best friends with Jeremy's daughter, 11-month-old Isabella.

Three times a day Jeremy goes to the barn to feed the fawn and takes young Isabella with him.

The two spend hours together and Isabella loves to stroke and kiss Ziggy.



Jeremy, 56, said: "We're an animal-loving family. I was brought up in an animal-loving family and I did the same for my daughter."

"It's just so natural, they spend hours kissing and stroking each other. There's no fear like you would expect there to be."

The castle already has a herd of five fallow deer, just like Ziggy, and the deer will spend the rest of its life well-fed and with company.

Jeremy explained:"[Ziggy] is now doing well be cared for by the staff."

"We can't release her back to the wild now, as she would be too tame and not at all scared of people."