ALPACAS will be taking their place in the livestock competitions for the first time at this year's Fordingbridge Show.

The alpaca event will give visitors the chance to get up close to these unusual animals, bred for their luxurious wool, which is harvested once a year.

Karen Oglesby, of Meon Valley Alpacas, which is organising the new competition, said: "Judges mark an alpaca very highly if their fleece has all the right qualities.

"They look for a fleece that is fine and has the right density, character, uniformity and coverage.

"They also look for an alpaca that conforms to type and one that moves well.

"However, the alpaca must stand still when being inspected and walk nicely alongside its handler, which isn't always easy to achieve."

The Fordingbridge show, which takes place on July 17 and 18, is supported by the Forest Journal and includes events for a huge range of livestock.

Schedules have now been drawn up in classes for cattle, chickens, pygmy goats, sheep and donkeys.

As well as the beef and dexter sections, dairy classes will be back for the first time since the foot-and-mouth outbreak, and the popular young handler classes return, featuring guinea pigs, chickens and dogs.

Livestock secretary Sara Pell-Stevens said: "People love seeing the animals, and I know how proud owners are to show them off.

"It's what a country event like this is all about."

Schedules for livestock classes are available by sending an A4 SAE to Sara Pell-Stevens, Livestock Secretary, Old Farm Manager's Cottage, East Blagdon Farm, Cranborne, BH21 5RZ.

Schedules for the alpaca competition are available from Karen Oglesby, Grooms Cottage, Midlington Hill, Droxford, SO32 3PU.