FOUR-week old Dilwyn is among the new arrivals born at a vineyard near Monmouth.

He is one of three alpacas to join a herd of 17 that graze on land owned by Frank and Leigh Strawford at Wernddu Organics, Pen-y-Clawdd.

Dilwyn is the youngest of the three, born just weeks after Dan, aged eight weeks and Deborah aged six weeks.

Mrs Strawford,46, had the idea to bring three alpacas- a llama-like South American animal- onto their land to help keep the grass down five years ago.

Since then the herd has grown and become a popular addition with visitors able to feed them and take them for walks.

Alpacas originate from Peru and weight around 16 to 20lbs at birth. They are bred for their fleece. Their coats are shorn and the wool is sent away to be dyed and spun.

Mrs Strawford also runs a successful business using the wool from their herd to knit clothing such as socks, hats and scarves.

"This is the fourth year we have bred alpacas. They were born to mum Angel in text book labours and are all healthy," explained Mrs Strawford.

"They are each developing their own characters.

Deborah has long eyelashes and is timid and elegant whilst Dan is very laid back and Dilwyn is a bit bossy," she said.

"My daughter Lauren,20, wanted to call him Delywn, despite the fact he is a boy because she says he is a pretty boy," she added.