A tarantula, a corn snake and a giant snail were among the visitors at Northbourne Park Pre-prep School.

Animal handling experience company ZooLab brought the creatures to the Betteshanger school where there were special educational workshops to spark an interest in science, nature and learning.

Charli Hales, a company ranger, brought with her a menagerie of animals and little critters giving the children an amazing opportunity to meet and hold some of them.

Gillian Rees, head of the Pre-Prep said: “All the children loved the experience and got a lot of enjoyment from seeing and handling the animals.”

Nursery and reception children enjoyed their animal experience with their wriggly visitors by understanding how they move by having a go themselves. They had the opportunity to be a rabbit, snake, tarantula and a snail.

Children in Years 1 and 2 learned about tropical rainforests, deserts, polar regions and oceans, what makes a habitat and why they matter to animals and humans.

Mrs Rees added: “The children came away with a greater insight into the animal kingdom.”