CREEPY crawlies didn't put off brave youngsters who got up close and personal with a dazzling array of insects during a summer show.

The 18th annual Brook Field School summer fair saw panning for gold, fishing for ducks and cake stalls on offer to the many visitors.

But for some the best part of the day was getting the chance to handle tarantulas and scorpions.

"Holding the scorpion looked worse than it actually was," said Laura Kark, 14, from Sparcells.

"I thought they looked quite cute. It was the claws that scared me."

Will Pearson, nine, from Priory Vale, said: "I liked the water pistols the best.

"I've had a good time and had a go at everything."

Money made on the day will be ploughed back into the school to buy new books and classroom equipment.