IGUANAS, pythons andvarious lizards were given a medical 'once over' by experts at an unusual surgery.

More than 40 owners of exotic pets took advantage of the offer of a free health check for their reptiles.

It made for a busy day at The Reptile Trust premises at Burnopfield, near Stanley.

Three herpetologists, who specialise in the husbandry and care of reptiles, ran the rule over a range of creatures, including a number of tortoises, several snake species, iguanas, leopard geckos and lizards.

Trust chief executive Peter Heathcote said it proved a successful event, which may be repeated.

"It was a fantastic day, so many owners were pleased to be able to come along and be given the right advice about looking after their pet.

"Many of them appear to have previously been given the wrong advice. We were able to show owners how to check their pets and the signs to look out for, for illness and ailments.

"You could say it was a well-reptile clinic. It's the same principle with humans that if you catch something early it can be nipped in the bud.

"The difference with reptiles from other pets is that they don't howl or wail if they're in pain."

Some of the sicker patients were referred to the trust's veterinary surgeon for treatment, while one unfortunate creature had to be put down.

Meanwhile, the trust is to move from its Busty Bank base in Burnopfield into £5m purpose-built premises at Boundary Farm, off the A68 near Tow Law, after winning recent planning approval from Wear Valley District Council.

Work starts on May 1 and, on completion, the operation will broaden its base to become the Exotic Animal Welfare Trust, which will be the biggest re-homing sanctuary in the country.