With one look in its steely eyes, Spot the llama is enough to make any potential predator think twice.

They may be more used to the South American mountains but llamas are providing great protection for one West Sussex farmer.

Sue Booth was becoming desperate after losing lambs at an alarming rate.

It was costing her time and money but after spotting a story on llamas in a farming magazine, she came upon the perfect solution.

Now the grass-chewing animals, who resemble camels, have made her farm extra secure.

Sue, of Rye Farm, Henfield, said: "Our llama sits up on the highest vantage point on the farm and looks across the whole terrain. He looks really tough and, if any fox or badger tries to get at the lambs, he will run after them.

"If he catches up with any predator, he will stamp on them."

Before llamas came to tackle the problem, Sue was losing about 23 lambs every season.

Sue said: "We had to bring in the sheep every night and put them in a barn. It meant they were all crushed inside, which is not only unhygienic but the lambs used to lose their ewes.

"After reading Farmers Weekly about a foreign farmer using llamas, I decided to give it a go. The llama was called Wug and did a brilliant job until he died late last year.

"Now we have Spot, who is called that because of the very noticeable patch on top of his head."

Sue now swears by llamas to fend off any animal who dares to try their luck, even though they are more familiar with the Andes mountain range.

A male llama costs about £600 but, to her, is worth its weight in gold.

Sue said: "The sheep aren't scared of him. In fact, they bond and have a good relationship.

"He acts like a father figure to them and they respect that.

"I think having another animal is good for a healthy farm, rather than keep ushering them indoors every night.

"We also live near public footpaths and dogs used to have a go at the sheep but not any more."