Reindeer reintroduced to Cornwall

The reindeer will help create a traditional Christmas for visitors

A herd of reindeer are roaming in Cornwall for the first time in 800 years, according to the country park which imported them.

The six animals, one male and five females, were transported from Scandinavia to the Trevarno Estate, near Helston.

They have spent the past few months acclimatising to the local habitat, including the Cornish weather.

But the move has been criticised by a reindeer centre in Scotland.

Richard Cox, general manager at Trevarno, said: "There were no reindeer herds in the south west and we've always had a passion about creating a traditional Christmas for people.

I don't think Cornwall is a suitable habitat for reindeer Elizabeth Smith, Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

"Reindeer are a big part of that."

He said the reindeer would feature in this year's festivities but were unlikely to be pulling sleighs, saying: "It's only males that drive sleighs, the females just lie down."

He said the reindeer are just 3ft (0.9m) tall and "quite domesticated, used to being handled and incredibly gentle".

Mr Cox said reindeer were not very fond of rain, which could be problematic in the Cornish climate.

He said: "We've been very careful to make sure the environment is right for them.

"They're in a windy field, because one thing they do like is wind."

The only place where reindeer roam in the wild in the UK is in the Cairngorms in Scotland, where they were re-introduced in the 1950s.

Elizabeth Smith of the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre said: "I don't think Cornwall is a suitable habitat for reindeer.

"They are highly specialised and need large spaces to roam and cold climates.

"Anywhere south of where we are is not a natural environment."