For £2,300 you could afford a month's rent in one of London's exclusive apartments in Chelsea, a balcony stateroom on a transatlantic crossing on the prestigious Queen Mary 2 ocean liner - or it could buy you a three year old female alpaca.

Eastern Daily Press: The auction at AzSu Alpacas. Picture: AzSu AlpacasThe auction at AzSu Alpacas. Picture: AzSu Alpacas (Image: Archant)

Almost 250 people attended Norfolk's first ever alpaca auction which saw more than 100 animals go under the hammer.

It took place on Sunday at the AzSu Alpacas farm in Letton, near Dereham, and the highest price sale was for a three year old brown female who sold for £2,300.

The second highest sale was a five year old black female, who went for £1,700. Overall, 10 alpacas made prices of £800 and more.

Farm Manager Nikki Lenk, said: 'Never having held an auction before we really didn't know what to expect. In the event we could not have asked for more with an excellent turnout and around 90pc of animals sold, including three llamas.

Eastern Daily Press: The auction at AzSu Alpacas. Picture: AzSu AlpacasThe auction at AzSu Alpacas. Picture: AzSu Alpacas (Image: Archant)

'From talking to the many people that came and the new owners we know that they're going to good homes. We'll continue to be in touch with many of them through our established alpaca support services'.

The auction was held after the family-run business decided to downsize the herd in order to accommodate future development plans. Miss Lenk said that this could see the farm carrying out activities such as alpaca weddings.

'We want to carry on doing alpaca trekking. There's also a new craze at the moment taking alpacas to weddings. We also have plans to create a DIY livery,' she said.

Her father, Robert Lenk, is also running down the business ahead of semi-retirement.

Eastern Daily Press: The auction at AzSu Alpacas. Picture: AzSu AlpacasThe auction at AzSu Alpacas. Picture: AzSu Alpacas (Image: Archant)

AzSu Alpacas first went into business in January 2000 when Miss Lenk's mother, Sue Lenk brought home five alpacas.

Soon after, Sue and her husband Robert moved to the 55-acre farm near Dereham and the herd expanded to more than 100. Mrs Lenk also immersed herself in the world of alpacas and eventually visited to Peru in South America to the Andean Altiplano - homeland of the alpaca.

Nikki took over the farm following her mother's death in 2010 and with the downsizing plans in motion, she intends to keep a core herd of just 30 alpacas. AzSu will continue to provide clients with advice, shearing, agistment, medical services and alpaca walks around the farm.

Eastern Daily Press: Nikki Lenk runs AzSu Alpacas. Picture: Ian BurtNikki Lenk runs AzSu Alpacas. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant © 2012)