THERE were some unusual animals in Craven Arms.

A special day at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in the town enabled children to get close to and in some cases handle exotic creatures.

Corner Exotics brought the animals along for a day that also included the chance to have a go at pond dipping and to take part in a ‘Mammoth Hunt.’

The animals that were on hand included snakes, a Gambian pouched rat, chinchilla and an African pygmy hedgehog.

In a pioneering move the centre has been transferred into the hands of the South Shropshire Housing Association and is run on a day-to-day basis by the Grow Cook Learn School that falls under the umbrella of the Furniture Scheme.