PUBLISHED: December 3, 2016 07:59LAST UPDATED: December 3, 2016 08:21
A pair of unusual security guards will be on patrol at Shropshire s Hoo Farm this festive season, given unwanted visitors the fright of their life.
Animal keeper Gary Wheaver with Morse the llama
The two normally friendly llamas will be let loose each evening to protect the stock of Christmas trees waiting to be sold. For partner Will Dorrell, it s a clever solution for what he called the perfect crime . He said: If someone robs a load of Christmas trees, it s difficult to prove because they don t have serial numbers or anything like that on them. They re untraceable.
So around this time of year, when we re selling Christmas trees, the security is of particular importance. Each year we have security procedures in place and this year we thought we d use the llamas to protect the stock at night.
Over in South America they re used instead of guard dogs in some places, to protect sheep and things like that.
They can be ferocious if they want to be.
The llamas we ve got are very friendly, but at night time when they re not expecting to see anybody about, it might be different.
There have been reports of Christmas tree thefts all around the local area and nationally.
Touch wood we ve never had a problem, but at the same time we re so cautious and hot on making sure security is up. If the llamas do a good job, it may become a permanent position for the pair. Will said: We ll have to see how they do.
These are a new pair of llamas we had them this year. If they do a good job, we might look at using them some more.
The Christmas trees at Hoo Farm will officially be going on sale from Saturday. They range from 20 up to about 90. Will said: Our trees are pretty freshly cut usually within the last 10 days to two weeks.
Some of the larger supermarkets cut theirs back in September. Limited areas of Hoo Farm will be open throughout December, including the play area.
Entry is free.