A TORTOISE, tarantula, rats and a large snake provided entertainment for visitors at a Middlesbrough care home.

Live animal handling company ZooLab paid a visit to Briarwood Care Home in Eston.

While staff were nervous at holding some of the creatures, residents fearlessly held the animals.

Sally Lane, activities coordinator at Briarwood Home, said: “We always like to share new and exciting experiences with the residents. The animals went down a treat.

“Staff were amazed at how comfortable the residents were with the creatures – even holding the snake."

Briarwood is part of New Century Care, and specialises in personal care, dementia care and dementia nursing care.