Alpacas are the latest pet attraction at Melton's Long Field Academy

The latest recruits on site are not children, but oddly endearing alpacas (yet to be named).

Thanks to a grant from the The Ernest Cook Trust, one of the UK’s leading outdoor learning charities, the academy were able to buy the alpacas to look after in their animal husbandry area at the school.

Over the past twelve months Long Field have acquired ducks, chickens, a butterfly garden, goldfish, stick insects, two guinea pigs and Rocky the bearded dragon.

Vice Principal at Long Field Sadie Batstone said: “Part of the ethos at the academy is to develop a greater awareness of Melton’s rural surroundings. It’s also to teach students the value of caring for wildlife as well as continue to develop their leadership skills as they take up responsibilty for their care.

“By developing an animal husbandry as an area for learning Long Field hopes that students will be better equipped to study this area after they leave the academy, having gained qualifications that will enable them to pursue this at a higher level.”