ANIMAL lovers are being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to name a pair of alpacas who have arrived at Ardgowan Estate.

West Coast Alpacas is running a competition to name the twosome – with the winner getting to meet the one they named for a VIP feeding session.

Francesca Wade from the company, which is based in the estate, says this innovative idea is a first for the firm.

She said: “The pair are actually 18 months old and have joined our group of trekking alpacas to make eight in total.

“They are both boys and this is the first time we have ever let the public choose the names, so we are expecting a big response."

Francesca admits she is looking for cuddlier names for the animals than the breeding names that they arrived in Inverclyde with.

She explained: “Their breeding names can be a bit of a mouthful for kids so we wanted something that was a bit easier to say.

“We have had an alpaca come to us called Vivace before, and another that was named Captain Hook by its breeder. We have renamed them Latte and Cappuccino.

“I think it would be nice to hear what ideas people have, and we are wanting something fresh and exciting.”

Francesca says the company has enjoyed a successful winter.

She said: “As we go past our first birthday, we are still very busy with our treks and we have just started doing our feeding sessions.

“People here are all animal lovers and completely dote on the alpacas.”

To enter the competition, comment on one of the posts on the West Coast Alpacas Facebook page. Entries close on Friday.