ENTHUSIASTIC youngsters made some new furry friends at a fun-filled summer camp.

Linsay Mitchell, manager at Larch Green Alpacas, welcomed 14 young people onto the farm for a three-day kids club.

As well as learning about the magnificent seven alpacas - Sid, Toby, Eric, Chester, Louis, Walter and Mac - the children were able to 'muck in' and take the animals for treks.

The youngsters were split into two groups over the week, allowing them to have an up close and personal experience with the handsome herd.

Linsay, who runs the Old Greenock Road farm in Langbank, said: "We run an 'adopt an alpaca' programme and someone who adopted Sid for his daughter suggested we could do something over the summer holidays.

"It's the first time we've ever decided to do anything like this, but it's been a great success.

"I wanted to keep the groups small so they could all look after an alpaca each.

"With it being so successful I think it'll become a permanent fixture for us over school holidays."

The alpacas all have the same dad and were purchased from the same breeder in Birmingham.

They became popular figures during lockdown as in addition to offering treks and 'meet and feed' sessions, Linsay made videos of the cheeky creatures' antics - with some clocking up over 5,000 views online.

At the end of the three-day sessions, the youngsters all received their own certificate as a memento of the experience.

Helping out was Linsay's sister, Laura, who added: "I'm surprised at how enthusiastic the kids are - I thought they wouldn't be up for mucking out and cleaning up after the animals, but they got stuck right in.

"They get really excited when they get to take them out on treks, it seems to have been a big hit and will definitely be something we do again in the future."