Alpaca farmers open for business

Alpacas have very warm fleeces

Two former NHS managers have set up Lincolnshire's first alpaca fleece mill with the help of a government grant.

Trevor Stables and Dick Darlington received almost £39,000 from Defra to get their farm off the ground in Wood Enderby, near Horncastle.

The farmers began the venture with two alpacas nearly three years ago, but now keep 40 of the South American animals.

The business is expanding and the company hopes to start producing alpaca fleece duvets.

New loom

Trevor Stables said: "We have already put the deposit down for a new computerised loom, so we are looking for a weaver and hope to have woven products for sale by Easter.

"We have also bought a quilting table so we will be looking for a seamstress and are hoping to produce alpaca duvets."

Alpacas come from South American countries such as Peru, Bolivia and Chile.

Alpaca fleece is a luxurious fibre similar to sheep's wool, but lighter in weight, silkier to the touch and very warm.