EXCITED children got up close and personal with a variety of exotic creatures at the Coley Park Fun Day on Sunday.

Hundreds of families packed into the Coley Park Recreation Ground in Holybrook Road for the annual fun day which raises cash for the community centre.

As well as getting their faces painted and letting off steam on the bouncy castle, youngsters could enjoy a Punch and Judy puppet show, a bungee trampoline and fun fair rides, before throwing wet sponges at brave volunteers in the stocks.

But Owen’s Animals got the most attention, with excited children getting to hold a selection of lizards, insects and reptiles including snakes and spiders.

The event was organised by the Coley Park Community Association and events manager Ann Summers said: “The kids loved Owen’s Animals, there’s something about holding insects and snakes that they really enjoyed.

“It was a really good day, we were looking at the weather predictions and it didn’t look good but it was an absolutely amazing day. The sun was out, everyone really enjoyed themselves and the atmosphere was incredible. It was the best one we’ve had.”

Families could tuck into some home-made food and cakes and there were two tombola stands raising cash for the Coley Park Community Centre in Wensley Road.

The prizes were donated by pupils from St Mary and All Saints’ CofE School and Ann said: “We cannot thank the school enough – they were absolutely brilliant.”