SCHOOL children got to handle all kinds of creepy crawlies when a range of animals were brought into class.

Youngsters at Framwellgate Moor Primary School, in Durham, encountered frogs, snails, tarantulas and snakes during ZooLab animal handling workshops.

More than 250 children aged three to 11 took part.

The visit was organised after county councillor Mark Wilkes responded positively to a letter from schoolboys Zak McGowan and Seamus McClure asking him to provide funding.

Coun Wilkes gave more than £550 from his councillor’s budget.

Zak, nine, said holding a giant African land snail had felt slimy but he had enjoyed it.

Headteacher Bethan Smith said: "The children absolutely loved it. They love learning about animals.

"We’re trying to teach them about how to care for and understand the environment each animal comes from and why that habitat is important to the animal’s survival."

Coun Wilkes said: "I think it's fantastic that over 250 young people have enjoyed themselves and been able to learn far more about wildlife and the natural environment. "This follows on from a great litter pick a few weeks back we did around the school grounds which further helped to illustrate how keeping our environment clean and safe is so important."