THEY may look a little out of place, but when it comes to traversing steep and rugged hillsides, llamas are a natural.

Apart from being environmentally-sound, the South American beasts of burden are cheaper and far quieter than even the most sophisticated helicopter.

And that made the animals the obvious choice when it came to lugging rocks up to the towering heights of Roseberry Topping.

On the slopes of the Andes the llama may be a humble, everyday creature, but on the edge of the North York Moors they are an altogether more arresting sight.

But National Trust warden Mark Bradley had no hesitation in calling on their services to help with conservation work on Roseberry Topping and Little Roseberry.

Yesterday, a group of six llamas carried loads of rock for dry stone walls up slopes that even the most sturdy 4x4 could not handle.

"Llamas are obviously more cost-effective than a helicopter and in this wet weather offer much less impact on the ground compared to a quad-bike or tractor," he said.

"We used them as part of the works programme for the site, but we hope establish a series of walks with llamas around Roseberry."

The llamas involved are usually found at Ravenscar, near Scarborough, where former farmer Bruce Wright uses them in a trekking venture.

He brought his animals to North Yorkshire seven years ago from the flatlands of Norfolk, where he ran a similar trekking business in Thetford Forest.

"They are ideal for this kind work. They are members of the camel family and so have spreading pads on their feet, rather than hooves, which don't churn up the ground," he said.

"We were worried how they would react to having rocks clattering round in plastic containers rather than the cloth panniers they usually carry, but there was no problem in the end."

The llamas' excursion to Roseberry Topping worked so well that Bruce and the trust have joined forces to offer the public the chance to go trekking there with the animals.

Three dates have been arranged, on May 20, June 16 and July 21, and more could follow. For details, contact Mr Wright on (01723) 871234 or visit his website www.llamatreks.co.uk