Year 11 BTEC Art students visited Banham Zoo in Norfolk last week to gather first-hand research for a project on zoos.

The 19 students took part in a ‘meet the animals’ session and got the chance to speak with a zookeeper, who showed them some of the projects the zoo involves artists in and some of the artefacts made out of animals which are caught at customs and excise.

Teacher Emma Guppy said: “They were allowed to handle, stroke and photograph some of the animals - an elderly gecko, a mass of cockroaches, a very cute royal python and a superfast stunt rat - and a lot of them had to conquer some strong fears but they all had a go with the snake.

“They all had a thoroughly good time and despite the bitter cold, they behaved appropriately and enjoyed walking around visiting the animals.”

To view a gallery of photographs from the visit to Banham Zoo click here.