A FARMER'S field in Darwen has become a talking point after four alpacas more commonly seen in wildlife parks and zoos were spotted grazing there.

Motorists driving past the Davy Field Farm, in Eccleshill, have been doing a double-take as they catch a glimpse of the four camel-like animals staring back at them.

But for farmer Heath Kershaw, the animals are just part of his future income as he continues his diversification from traditional farming.

Mr Kershaw, 35, who owns the farm with his 61-year-old father David, decided he needed to have more security and branch out from conventional farming.

After attending animal shows and talking to alpaca breeders, he decided to buy four and began breeding.

He said: "Farming is not good at the moment, so we decided five years ago that we would look elsewhere to keep the farm going.

"My father is continuing with the farming, we have a livery business, and I set up my engineering firm Arc Fabrications.

"The alpaca farm is my latest venture and I have done a lot of research into it and spoken to a lot of people who have herds of alpacas.

"I was looking for something easy to keep and which would not make a mess of the land, which a lot of livestock do.

"I bought two adult female alpacas and they had two young, which are called crias, from that year's birth. One of the females has just had another baby this week and the other is due next week. We will be breeding them for their wool.

"It is the most luxurious wool you can get and it's very soft and lightweight. This country is currently trying to double the number of alpaca herds nationally.

"Each show you go to there are more people with alpacas, but I don't know of anyone else with alpacas in Blackburn or Darwen. This will be a long-term investment."

Mr Kershaw, who will run the alpaca farm with his wife Kathryn, 27, will shear the animals once a year and the wool will go off to be processed.

He is hoping to have a herd of around 40 alpacas within the next five years.

He said: "The alpacas are hardy animals and take very little looking after.

"They are very soft-footed and don't make a mess.

"When my father gives up farming it's something to fall back on.

"A lot of farms are looking to diversify but the alpaca farm is not self-sufficient, it is more an extra working longside the engineering firm and livery."

Alpacas, along with llamas, are part of the camel family.