'Prancer the alpaca was very nice and really kind'

Barbara Wild had a lifelong dream to meet an alpaca and now it's been fulfilled at her care home for her 76th birthday.

Mrs Wild, who lives at Cofton Park Manor Care home, in Cofton Hackett, Worcestershire was visited by Prancer for her party.

Her daughter Tracey Todd, who arranged the surprise, said her mother had owned a pet shop and had always loved animals, adding: "He was beautiful. She even got a kiss."

A video of Prancer visiting Mrs Wild has been posted on BBC Hereford & Worcester's Facebook page.

Ms Todd said her mother had always wanted to go on a walk with an alpaca, but this had not been possible after she developed dementia.

She called Daisy Farm in Solihull who said they could visit with Prancer, she said.

A fan group gathered as Prancer made a tour of the care home.

"He was beautiful, he was very trained and very nice and really kind," Ms Todd said.

Her mother was able to walk him around the home, before he was taken to meet other residents.

They included a member of staff who makes jumpers from alpaca wool and a collection of other creations there.

Mrs Wild was "a natural" with Prancer, hugging him and holding him with a "big smile on her face" as she walked him around, her daughter said.

"She did used to have a pet shop many years ago," Ms Todd added. "She's always had a real, real love for any animal."

She said they had now come up with a list of other creatures, including owls and cows with horns.

"I don't know if we're going to be able to take horned cow into the care home," Ms Todd said. "But we'll definitely try."

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