Care home residents got hands-on with some unusual visitors – a giant African millipede and a tarantula.

Residents at Croft House in Eastburn, near Keighley, were given the chance to handle some of the creatures, which were brought along by Falkirk-based Zoologica Ltd. Experts told the residents facts and historical information about the animals, which also included a giant African snail, rats, a snake, a giant cockroach and an African leaping frog.

Croft House owner-manager Giles Bateman said: “We have a varied entertainments programme and thought this would be something a bit different.

“It was interactive – some of the animals couldn’t be allowed to roam but residents were able to handle others. The men in particular were very interested. It was a fascinating afternoon.”