What should these new Shire horses in West Bromwich be named?

Members of the public are invited to choose the best names for these two new young Shire horses at Forge Mill Farm in Sandwell Valley Country Park, West Bromwich.

The two fillies, aged two and three, have only just recently moved in and park employees hope they will become a real attraction for visitors.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for leisure Councillor Bill Gavan said: “The horses have only been at Forge Mill for a couple of weeks and they are settling in well.

“The younger one is still a little nervous and the older girl is very friendly.

“Shires are majestic creatures and we’re looking forward to them becoming a real attraction for our visitors.

“We’ll be looking at the possibility of breeding them in the future to keep the line of Shire horses going.”

Shire horse numbers are in rapid decline – with only around 1,500 left in the whole country.

The farm is hoping to continue with a regal theme for the horses’ names – as the last pair of Shires at the farm were called Duke and King.

Names in the running include Duchess and Princess, Lady and Queen and Madeleine and Julie - after local acting royalty Madeleine Carroll who was born in West Bromwich and Julie Walters, who was born in Edgbaston.

The Shire horses join Forge Mill’s rare Bagot goats. The council is part of a scheme run by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust to breed the rare goats as there are fewer than 200 registered breeding females left.

To suggest a name for the horses, visit facebook.com/sandwellvalley and choose your favourite.

Admission to the farm is free.