LONELY wallaby Max, is jumping for joy. He is now the proud father of several baby wallabies, known as joeys.

Only last year he was so desperate for company that he kept escaping from the garden of his York owner, Tom Calvert, who was eventually told by the council that he would have to go.

Mark Hebdon - right - from Monk Park Farm, Bagby, near Thirsk offered him a home on the 60-acre open farm which is home to llamas, alpacas, goats, pigs, deer, guinea pigs, donkeys and rabbits.

"And to keep him company, I got three female wallabies," he said. "He is now as happy as Larry and has quite a family. Mr Calvert has been to seem him and is very happy that Max has settled so well.

"The wallabies are the favourites of most of the visitors here. Children and adults alike love to see the babies."

* See Farm centre hopes it's third time lucky, Page 5