Would you be afraid of holding a spider or petting a snake?

Brave children took on the challenge during the open day at the Star Bright nursery, Mawney Road, Romford.

Nearly 60 people came to the fun day, which boasted a petting zoo with more than 50 different animals.

Monkeys, tarantulas, meerkats, turtles, parakeets, hedgehogs and even a skunk visited the nursery.

“The children really liked that they could go inside the cages and hold the animals,” said nursery owner Roxsanne Nicholson.

“The birds were particularly friendly and the children seemed to really like the monkey and the meerkat.

“It was a real learning experience for children as well. Many of them had never had the opportunity to hold one of those animals before.

“Some of them were quite apprehensive at first to hold the spider but in the end they just did it,” she added.

There was also face paint for the children and a big barbecue provided refreshments for the nursery’s guests.

Siblings and parents of children at the nursery were invited to come along to see the animals along with members of the local community.

“People really enjoyed it. Everyone got involved, even the smaller children and babies.

“There was also a few new parents, who have just enrolled their children at the nursery,” said Ms Nicholson.

The nursery’s summer family day is an annual event but it was the first time Star Bright welcomed a petting zoo on its premises.

“I was so pleased about how it went. It was a great opportunity to create a partnership with the parents and bond with the families,” she added.

The day also enabled the nursery to raise money for future events.

There are still places available at Star Bright for September.