A TOURIST attraction dedicated to the Suffolk Punch horse has finally celebrated its first foal of the year – and it is asking visitors to give it an X-tra special name.

After a month of anxious waiting at the Suffolk Punch Trust stud farm at Hollesley Bay Colony, near Woodbridge, expectant mother Colony Olive 2nd gave birth to a healthy colt foal nine days ago.

She was due to give birth on March 17 – Suffolk horses have a pregnancy that lasts 11 months – but foals can arrive either a month late or early.

The colt foal was fathered by Besthorpe Achilles, the current Supreme Champion of the breed.

And the trust is giving visitors over Easter the chance to give him a name – although it must start with an X.

“Every horse born at Hollesley Bay has the prefix Colony as part of its name, and each year foals are distinguished by consecutive letters of the alphabet,” said Jo Cresdee, trust general manager.

“The letter for 2011 is X so all the foals to arrive during the year will be named with an X.

“So get your thinking caps on and join in the fun on April 24 and 25 and maybe you could be the person to name the new arrival.”

There will be a host of entertainment and demonstrations, a farmers’ market and a fair at the farm over the weekend, particularly on Sunday and Monday.

The winner of the name competition, announced on Monday, will receive a pass so they can return and visit the foal whenever they wish throughout the 2011 season.

For more information, visit suffolkpunchtrust.org