A RARE breed centre has welcomed some new arrivals.

Hadleigh Farm Rare Breed Centre, Castle Lane, Benfleet has new additions including a chick, piglets and alpacas.

The centre has seen a litter of seven Middle White piglets, two alpacas and the chick.

The centre is owned by the Salvation Army and works to support disabled people with sessions and training day events.

Emma Sayer, 30, centre operations manager said the new animals are settling in well.

She said: "We are open and welcoming visitors every day until October.

"We are holding a taster volunteer day on September 29 and 30 from 10am until 3pm and look forward to meeting visitors and future volunteers.

"Some of our work is around raising awareness of different breeds, some of which were used as working animals."

The new alpacas Thunder and Hunter can be seen sunbathing at the farm.

The Salvation Army's Hadleigh Farm has evolved over the last 120 years. Today we are a farm and place of natural beauty, committed to environmental and social progress, and home to an English Heritage site.