A LANCASTER firm has suc-cessfully answered the call of the wild... not just any call, either.

The trunk call received by R E Buildings was looking for the solution to a jumbo sized job.

It came from Knowsley Safari Park on Merseyside where it was discovered that two elephants were unexpectedly pregnant - and emer-gency housing was needed in time for the births.

There would normally be two years grace to build an elephant maternity suite because of the length of the pregnancy, but in this case restricted scanning of the pachyderms because of foot and mouth disease had missed the early signs.

R E Buildings were given just six months to come up with purpose-built birthing accommodation.

And that is just what the firm did - as can be seen by the big smile on the face of company secretary Hazel Ronson as she meets one of the new baby elephants.

Hazel says: "A project like this was unusual and, given the tight deadlines, was not easy. But it has given everyone a great deal of satisfaction - especially when you see the baby elephants."