IT’S perhaps the last sight you expect to see when you walk into the lounge of a care home.

But, yes, alpacas have been mingling with residents at one home near Carlisle - along with some children from a city primary school.

The unusual arrival of alpacas at Rosehill Residential Home at Aglionby is part of a new form of therapy that is also bridging the gap between generations.

Alpacas, Twinkle and Dude who paid a visit from Blencogo Farm, Wigton, mesmerising the residents and the children with whom they’re forging closer connections.

The home enjoys a special relationship with Norman Street Primary School and a number of its pupils, who were delighted to join them to meet the guests.

From arts and crafts to singing to two generations meet regularly to share wisdom and fun.

The children had the chance to snuggle and interact with the alpacas, as did their older friends.

It was an experience they enjoyed.

Fascinated, Adi Hussain, nine, said: “It’s amazing to be here. I love the Alpacas .They’re so soft and cute. They feel just like a pillow.

“I want to see them every day.”

Of the other work with the home, he added: “I really enjoy coming here to meet with the older people. We normally do arts, crafts and singing.”

Excited, Bea Beaty, also nine, was another who enjoyed it and said: “I think it is really nice to be here with the alpacas. They’re really fluffy and cute. Twinkle is my favourite.”

Therapy animals have been a big hit in recent years in all sorts of settings.

Kim Inglis Jeffries, of Blencogo Farm, said: “It’s absolutely amazing. It’s something we started doing last year. Twinkle [the white alpaca] is the star. She reacts so well to people.

“We work with a lot with adults who have dementia and also with children who have got autism. The reaction you get is amazing. The alpacas are so intuitive with vulnerable people.

“When we do experiences on our farm, very often a couple of our female alpacas will pick the most vulnerable in the group. They behave like a puppy; it’s really calming.”