AN ALPACA farmer has been named among the country’s richest.

Paul Rippon turned his full attention to Heddon-based Barnacre Alpacas earlier this year after initially founding the mobile bank Monzo.

Worth an estimated £120m according to the Sunday Times Rich List, Mr Rippon is a new entry to the prestigious list of the UK’s wealthiest people, ranked at number 982.

After co-founding Monzo in 2015 and serving as deputy chief executive, he led the business through significant international success.

But he decided to leave the business to ‘enjoy life’, he said.

Speaking to the Courant in January, Paul said: “I’ve been working in financial services for 27 years and working away from home for the last eight years.”

Paul and his wife Debbie took the plunge and initially bought three alpacas after watching a Michael Palin travel programme, which featured the animals.

He added: “We moved to Northumberland in 2006 and the Tyne Valley is a great place for attracting people and growing the business.

“With no farming background or experience, we now have more than 300 alpacas."

With 15 years of experience now under their belts, the business has grown to become one of Tynedale’s most unique tourist attractions.

Mr Rippon said: “In the future, you’ll find me doing the feed rounds and hosting alpaca walk ‘n’ talks.”