A farm owner has found a novel way of recycling Christmas trees - by feeding them to her herd of alpacas.

Charlotte Traynor, 54, was inundated with dozens of spurned firs after putting up a Facebook post offering to take them in.

She came up with the creative way of getting rid of winter spruces after she gave her 42-strong herd her own tree a few years ago.

She had read in an article that the Nordic pines were a useful dietary supplement and was thrilled when the animals, native to South America, devoured their prickly needles.

After putting out a request on social media, scores of locals near her farm in Blackpool, Lancs., answered her call and donated unwanted trees, which are rich in vitamins.

Charlotte said: “Christmas trees are not their natural food, just a supplement to their existing diet. But they’re a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants.

"The previous year, I’d read an article about it. We gave them our own Christmas tree and they really enjoyed it.

“I put a post on Facebook, and I was inundated with Christmas trees."

Charlotte offers animal therapy and guided walk at her stud at Lowlands Farm which along with the alpacas also has four sheep and six horses.

But she said the Christmas tree-munching alpacas have become a big hit with locals, who love to see them tucking into their old festive firs.

Filmed in January 2022.