A rare breed of sheep will compete for the first time at this year’s Royal Cornwall Show.

The distinctive Valais Blacknose sheep have only been in the country for little over a year.

Emma Collison and Stuart Billinghurst from Liskeard fell in love with the animals after seeing them on television in the mountains of the breed’s native Switzerland.

After negotiating two years of red tape they were the first people to import Valais Blacknose sheep into the UK. The initial 25 ewes and two rams arrived on to begin their new life on the land the couple farm in South East Cornwall during February 2014.

The hardy breed’s roots can be traced back to the 1400's but were only recognised as a separate breed in 1962. Adapting well to life in the high mountains they can graze even on the steepest, stoniest alpine slopes.

Emma adds; “The black patches on its nose, eyes, ears, knees, hocks and feet and otherwise light woolly coats make it quite unmistakeable.”

As a large animal the Valais Blacknose are known as a source of good quality meat. They are equally famed for their wool, which is ideal for felting and carpets.

Despite their qualities they have become a rare breed with only a few thousand left worldwide. Their existence is even further under threat by the recent return of Wolves in Switzerland.

“We will be at the Royal Cornwall Show this year promoting the breed through the Valais Blacknose Breed Society that we have established,” said Emma.

“The sheep that have entered the show originally came from our flock, so we hope they win!”

The Valais Blacknose sheep will compete in the any other pure breed class. They join a total of 1219 sheep section entries at the 2015 show. The second highest sheep entry in the Royal Cornwall’s history.