A GROUP of curious llamas and alpacas brought traffic to a standstill on the A66 after a daring escape from a nearby farm. 

30 of the female animals legged it from Alpacaly Ever After's Basecamp North Lakes headed towards Penrith, catching many of the motorists by delightful surprise. 

Emma Kate Smalley, managing director at Alpacaly Ever After, said it was her 'worst nightmare' coming to fruition. 

"The first thing we did when we moved to the site was put the seven-foot fence up. What we didn't expect was someone driving through that fence. 

"There's a big car-shaped hole and lots of bits of Nissan in the field.

"The alpacas hadn't discovered (the breach) until 5pm.

"It could have been so much worse," Emma said. 

"I know this county is used to animals in weird places but I think a lot of people just enjoyed it. But the last thing we want is to cause any disruption," she said. 

The quick-thinking team managed the situation effectively by rounding up the herd in quadbikes as well as members of the public using cars to block the road, giving the animals the 'easiest option' back home  - with the ordeal lasting around 15 minutes. 

News and Star: Owner Terry shepherds the animals back to safety. Owner Terry shepherds the animals back to safety. (Image: Alpacaly Ever After)

"I'm so proud of the team; they handled it so well. The whole herd was headed towards Penrith, and they were eventually rounded up by quad bikes. People from cars were helping block the road. You just have to get animals the easiest option.

"It felt like a lifetime, but it was probably only about 15 minutes, and then another two days to stop my heart racing," she said. 

Emma said their loving Rosie was definitely the ringleader during the great escape. 

"Rosie is definitely the instigator, she's so confident, sticking her head in everyone's car window as she passed by," she said. 

The animals are currently back home safe at the Basecamp North Lakes with no injuries.