Two alpacas offer hen protection

William and Harry patrol their patch at a Cornish farm

A farm in West Cornwall has recruited two unusual security guards to protect its hens from harm.

Tremayne Farm, near Camborne, has taken on two Peruvian alpacas - named William and Harry - to keep predators away.

Farm manager Giles Greenhough said: "Because of the alpacas' nature, they'll take up the role of becoming guardians of the flock."

Farm director Lisa Rowe added: "Alpacas are used extensively in Australia and New Zealand to safeguard sheep."

She added: "We know that happy hens lay the tastiest eggs and for that reason, we recruited the alpacas."