YOUNGSTERS came face to face with exotic animals and spiders yesterday.

Zoolab UK, an interactive animal workshop, visited pupils at Hurworth School, near Darlington, yesterday, with a variety of creatures for them to see, touch and learn about, including snakes and tarantulas.

The group visited the school at the beginning of the year and the workshops were so successful, they were invited back again.

The workshop was arranged this time for pupils in year seven, who are learning about invertebrates and techniques for classifying animals.

Science teacher Dr Nia Cook, said: "Zoolab explained to the pupils about the habitats in which these animals would normally live, discussing how the animals adapted to live in those habitats and how they are classified into different groups.

"It was very, very popular with the kids - they thought it was great, as it brings science alive for them."