FOUR alpacas have had their shelter stolen from them in a West Berkshire farm.

Amners Farm in Burghfield was raided sometime on Friday morning, when owner Sue Taylor said she received a call from the farmer to say the hut which housed the animals had gone.

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Ms Taylor has only owned the alpacas as part of her new business since August, and was 'shocked' that people would take the animals' shelter but considers it 'a blessing' that the alpacas themselves were still there.

Apollo, Winnie, Hermes and Conway were not harmed during the raid but have been left without the hut and important equipment.

"I contacted the people I got the shelter from and they told me it had been specifically designed for alpacas," Ms Taylor said.

"They told me if there is one in the area it is bound to be mine because they haven’t sold any for some time.

"It would have taken at least six people to carry it over the fence, as the fence wasn’t damaged."

Ms Taylor believes the thieves had intended to come back to take the alpacas because feeding buckets and other equipment had also been stolen.

The value of the stolen hut and equipment amounts to around £1,700.

A fundraising page was set up by a local resident to help replace the the shelter, and so far around £680 has been raised.

Ms Taylor said she is 'so grateful' that the page has been set up.

She added: "I would like to thank everyone who has donated, especially NFU Mutual [an insurance agency in Theale] who donated £500.

"People have told me that they love to see the alpacas - they just make people smile."

Police are investigating the incident.

To donate to the crowdfunding page, click here.