THERE are concerns for the safety of a stolen alpaca after it was taken from a Worcestershire garden.

Britney, a one-year-old alpaca that looks like a small llama and is covered in white fleece, was taken from the garden in Trimpley, Bewdley, between 8pm on Friday, September 16, and 9am on Monday.

She is 3ft to 3ft 6in tall at the shoulder and is worth £1,500. It was initially thought that she may have fled the secure garden after being scared by a low-flying helicopter.

A neighbour reported seeing flashlights over the weekend and police now believe she was stolen.

Alpacas are a herd animal and if they are away from the herd on their own they fret and sometimes die.

Neighbourhood Watch and Horse Watch groups in the area have been alerted.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call police on 0300 3333000 quoting 579/S/220911, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.