COCKROACHES, snakes and scorpions brought science lessons to life for students at Sunnydale School in Shildon.

The menagerie of creepy crawlies taken along by animal ranger Jenny Cook, from Falkirk-based Zoolab, helped science teacher Colin Booth illustrate the topic of invertebrates for Year 7 pupils.

The children were able to handle a giant millipede and a cockroach which lives in trees as well as a ratsnake powerful enough to kill its victims by squeezing.

Jenny said: "What we aim to do is bring the curriculum to life. Subjects such as classification can be very boring for kids but showing them examples of the animals you are talking about creates a lasting impression.

"Holding a giant African snail is something you remember for a long time."

Mr Booth said: "For most of the students, this will probably be the only opportunity they will get in their lifetime to touch creatures such as this.