A RARE horse has been given an extra special name after being born on the 100th birthday of Colonel Tom Moore.

The very young Captain Tom, a Clydesdale horse born in the Lake District, has gained internet fame after the announcement of his birth.

Clydesdales are on the Rare Breed Survival Trust’s list, making his birth extra special.

Annie Rose, owner of the family run Cumbrian Heavy Horses, initially checked mum Tilly at 12.15am in the very early hours on April 30.

It wasn’t until she decided to check again at 3am that she saw the young foal - born on the same day as his namesake.

Annie said: “I am an ex-nurse, my sister is still a nurse manager and my father works in the NHS.

“I have a strong affinity with the National Health Service.”

Captain Tom Moore has become a national hero after walking around his garden to raise millions for the NHS.

“When I heard about what he was doing I just thought bless him," said Annie.

“He is just really smiley and friendly.

“When the foal was born on his 100th birthday and he was a boy there was no discussion about the name.

“We soon got told that the real Captain Tom had been promoted to Colonel but we have stuck with it.

“I’ve read that he still prefers Captain.

“Captain Tom, Tom, or Tommy will work for him.

“I chucked it online and Facebook went mental.

“There’s been a lot of interest about Captain Tom.”

The riding centre, Cumbrian Heavy Horses, subsidises the breeding programme, and due to the current pandemic this is now closed, meaning that the centre now has no income.

The fundraising page for the farm has so far raised over £18,000.

To keep up to date with Captain Tom and his friends, search for ‘Cumbrian Heavy Horses’ on Facebook.

To donate to the horses, visit the farm’s GoFundMe page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rare-breeds-of-heavy-horses-survive-coronavirus