CREATURES from exotic, far off lands, brightened up the classroom at Meadowpark School this week.

Tom Charlton from Eco Animal Encounters visited the school - bringing with him a selection of exotic creatures for the children to see, and - if they were brave enough - to handle.

Headteacher Rajvinder Kular said: "Mr Charlton visited the school in order to enhance the children’s rainforest topic, and allowed them to experience first-hand some of the creatures which they had investigated in class.

"The children were allowed to stroke and handle creatures which included a bearded dragon, a ball python, an African bullfrog and a sulcata tortoise, which is the third largest tortoise species in the world.

"They were also able to look closely at a scorpion and a rose tarantula, although due to their delicate nature were not allowed to handle them.

"The children were thoroughly engaged throughout the session, and were able to ask questions regarding the creatures of their own, such as what type of weather conditions and food they prefer."

Eco Animal Encounters run a number of educational talks and seminars for schools and organisations, as well as offering advice to hiking groups on topics such as venomous snakes in the tropics.