A COTTAGE industry in south Shropshire has got off to a flying start.

Leebotwood’s small alpaca breeder Jane Potts opened a shop in Church Stretton High Street a year ago, selling hand-knitted accessories and yarn made from her alpacas’ fleeces.

The winter woollies have proved a hit, with hats, scarves, gloves and yarn selling well to members of the public.

During the first year of trading Jane sold virtually all of the wool produced from last year’s fleeces.

“I’m delighted with the sales of our wool- people seem to love it. Opening the shop was a dream come true and we have had excellent feedback from the public”, said Jane.

Jane fell in love with her Huacaya alpacas back in 2007 after seeing them at the Royal Show in Warwickshire. She bought two pregnant females, Eliza and Phoebe and eventually acquired a herd of 18.

The herd is shorn once a year and the fibre is sent to a mill in the Scottish borders for processing. Jane has an assistant who does the knitting.

To celebrate her first year in business, Jane is staging a free spinning and tapestry weaving demonstration between 11am and 2pm on Saturday, November 12, with drinks and nibbles between 12 noon and 2pm.

There will also be a raffle in aid of Cancer Research UK and the prize will be a Coco Alpacas knitting kit which includes Jane’s alpaca yarn and a pattern.