Determined farmer Tina Johnston is planning to beat the regulations and live on her own land – by buying a herd of alpacas.

Ms Johnston, 42, of Merkin Farm, Ashley near Box, has been living in a horsebox in the layby outside her farm with her nine-year-old daughter Grace, to prevent her receiving a £20,000 fine for living on her farm illegally.

After she lost her battle for planning permission to live on the land she had just about given up on her agricultural dream of running a sustainable organic farm, but decided she was too passionate about farming.

The mother-of-two, who has been running the farm for five years, said: “I just couldn’t stop planting so I decided that I am definitely keeping the farm for now and am looking to buy a herd of at least ten alpacas to meet agricultural planning requirements, which would allow me to live on the farm.”

She plans to spend around £40,000 on an alpaca herd, which she sees as a cheaper option than buying a house away from the farm, and then to run a business spinning alpaca fleece into wool.

Since her planning appeal was rejected several weeks ago she has been living in a wooden horsebox bought off Ebay for £500, moving it to the small lay-by each night.

She said: “It means I can carry on with my farm and my daughter loves it in the horsebox, which is quite spacious and actually nicer than the caravan. Grace thinks it’s one big adventure and loves it here, like I do.”

She intends to apply for permission to build a timber and straw eco-friendly house once she has her alpaca herd.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “There has been no proposal submitted to Wiltshire Council by the landowner but if she puts forward another proposal it will be considered on its merits.

“The council can confirm that the landowner is no longer living on the land and will continue to monitor the situation.”