Public flocks to national alpaca open day

Alpaca farmers and stud breeders nationwide opened their properties to the public to showcase their animals and encourage people to learn more about them, as part of the national alpaca day on Sunday.

Angela and Clark McNaughton, with daughter Lexie (4), look after 46 alpacas for Mrs McNaughton's parents, Judith and John Flynn, and invited the public to their Springvale property for the open day. About 50 people attended.

Mrs Flynn said they were delighted with the number of people who came to look at the alpacas and the animals enjoyed the attention.

''There was a constant stream of cars from about 11am to about 3pm,'' Mrs Flynn said.

''People were interested in purchasing them or wanted to look at them or find out more about them.''

- by Yvonne O'Hara