When six-year-old Alfie won the chance to name a new-born lamb, there was just one he had in mind.

So Alfie, the St Mary’s Primary School pupil, met Alfie, the highly rare black Jacob lamb, when breeder Wayne May brought the animal in for a visit.

The sheep was born two months ago and Mr May asked Blue Class to come up with a name.

All the pupils’ names were put in a hat. Alfie’s was the first out, and he decided to name the animal after himself.

Kent Online previously reported that breeder Mr May was stunned to find the lamb was jet black despite his parents being spotted brown and white.

The phenomenon is extremely uncommon among Jacob sheep, and is the first of its kind Mr May had seen in the 26 years he has been running a rescue charity.

Mr May, owner of Artisan Rarebreeds, said he was really impressed with the schoolchildren when he visited.

“It was fantastic and it’s my son’s school so I’m going to sound a bit biased here, but in the 10 years I have been working with schools I have never had such a well-behaved class.

“They all loved it and they spent the whole of the following day talking about it, apparently.

“We’re thinking of going back in the summer with Alfie to help the school with some fundraising.”

Alfie the sheep has attracted international fame since Kent Online reported his story, according to Mr May.

He said: “Alfie is doing really well. We have had an email from a breeder in Poland who wanted to buy him and use him as a stud ram but we had to say no. Alfie is to stay in the UK.”

Mr May added that he had plans of his own to get Alfie breeding when he comes of age in the hope that more black Jacob sheep will spring up in Dartford.