Mother and baby alpaca saved during traumatic birth at a Northumberland farm

A mother alpaca and her baby have been saved by their owner after an "extremely stressful and traumatic delivery" at a Northumberland farm.

The newborn baby, known as a cria, and her three-year-old mother Strawberry might have died if owner Debbie Rippon had not been on hand to help with the birth at Barnacre Alpacas in Elsdon.

The baby, who has been named Carracker, was born head first with her legs behind her, which is extremely dangerous in alpacas.

Debbie, 42, said when she went out to check on Strawberry on August 17th she could tell that she was in distress and quickly released she was in labour:

Along with her husband Paul Rippon, 43, Debbie owns and breeds more than 160 alpacas and uses their wool to create knitwear including hats and scarves.