The one-year-old Alpacas are part of a 16-strong herd that belong to Debby and Derrick Richardson, of Kirkbymoorside-based Moorside Alpacas.

The couple, together with sons Russell, 16, and 13-year-old Jake, started breeding the South American animals, which have become regular fixtures during walkies around Kirkbymoorside, four years ago.

Described as “very sociable and very inquisitive,” the animals have become regulars at agricultural shows around the area.

“We are doing all the local shows just to get people in the Ryedale area to know who we are,” said Debby. “It’s been great. We have never stopped talking and there must have been hundreds of photos taken of them today. We have been very popular which I am pleased with.”

At the moment, the family are trying to build up the blood line of their Alpacas so they have “good quality animals which produce good quality fleece.”

Debby added: “We are trying to promote and sell the wool of the flees and once we have bred enough animals we will start to sell them.”