Never mind guard dogs - now sheep farmers are turning to llamas to protect their flocks from predators.

The woolly South American creatures are described as the ultimate bodyguards, watching over the animals in their charge day and night.

Breeders say guard-llamas could become a common sight in the British countryside and are urging more sheep farmers to use them.

Sue Booth bought four-year-old Spot, a male llama, for her farm near Henfield last November.

She regularly lost 20 lambs when her ewes gave birth, but since Spot arrived not one has been killed.

She said: "He often stands on a mound surveying the distance looking for predators.

"If he sees, for instance, a fox he will rush over and lift up his hind legs and try stamping on it."

Mrs Booth, who has a 120-strong flock on the organic farm she runs with husband Peter, said: "In many ways Spot is environmentally perfect. He's a natural form of protection that's unlikely to harm the fox. He just scares them off."

Llamas are usually found on the slopes of the South American Andes. They were first brought to Britain 100 years ago as unusual pets.