Curious customers had the chance to get up close to an alpaca, pigs and other animals on Thursday and Friday last week.

Shoppers were able to feed and pet a variety of animals in a petting area in the middle of The Shires shopping centre in Trowbridge and to find out more about the animals.

Magic Moment Animal Parties, run by the Bloodworth family from their home in Norton St Philip, brought Truffles the alpaca into The Shires, together with some Kune Kune pigs, which originate from New Zealand, and pygmy goats.

Centre manager John Grinnell said the show was a great success and created plenty of interest. The manager of Burton menswear store, Mike Alderdice said: “The event attracted plenty of people and it was good entertainment for children during their school holidays.”

The family business, which has been a hit across the country, is owned by former Bradford on Avon man Sparky Bloodworth and his wife Lynne, and run with their daughters Ashleigh, 21, and Victoria, 22.

Sparky said: “Last week went really well, we had six handlers and it was still a strain because so many people were there. We had sheep, guinea pigs, snakes and lizards as well as tortoises and ferrets.

“We were approached by The Shires who asked us to attend as part of National Pet Month.”

He also attends events across the country with his herd of reindeer, and takes his animals into schools and nursing homes. For more information about Magic Moment Animal Parties, visit www.magicmomentanimalpa rties.co.uk or call 01225 722517 or 07743 471816.