YOU wouldn’t expect to find three South American animals in the Pitsea countryside, but these three alpacas look right at home.

Oreo, Fudge and Valliant have settled in to Wat Tyler Country Park after being housed there by Jackie Kendell.

Mrs Kendell, 50, a part-time carer, has transformed an old play area at the visitor attraction into an enclosure for the trio and is offering alpaca adventures and expeditions through the park.

She came up with the idea for her trekking business after a family day out at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire with sons Jordan, 13, and Joel, 15, where she spotted a postcard depicting llamas pulling children in a cart during Victorian times.

She decided she wanted to recreate the scene in her home town of Basildon, albeit with alpacas rather than llamas.

Jackie, from Noak Bridge, said: “We have been trying to get this going for over a year. Everyone who meets the alpacas loves them.

“I think some people have this misconception that they spit, but they really don’t. They have never spat at anyone, just each other when they’re squabbling over food!

“It’s very exciting, this could finally be my big break.”

Absolute Alpacas offers half an hour long expeditions for £10 and is running throughout the winter.

She added: “It might be the end of the season, but if anyone wants to enjoy a walk on a nice crisp winter day we are now up and running.”

Oreo and Fudge were kept as pets for a year, living in a neighbours garden, before they were joined by newest addition Valliant last month.

Formore information or to book a trek visit www.absolutealpacas.

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