Youngsters from two Bristol special schools were treated to a day out at the zoo – courtesy of the Rotary Club of Bristol.

More than 75 pupils from Claremont School in Westbury-on-Trym and Florence Brown Community School in Knowle West enjoyed their encounters with the animals that live at Bristol Zoo yesterday.

The children all enjoyed a packed day out, and were joined by pupils from a special school in Monmouth as well as about 60 adults.

Katie Cooper organises the day out for the Rotary Club every year. She said: "It gives them a wonderful day out at the zoo, and they all really enjoy it.

"They had face painting and an animal encounter, where they had a close-up encounter with snakes, spiders and creepy crawlies, and then a talk on them by one of the zoo's volunteer experts. The children were also given lunch and time to enjoy the gardens.

"They were very inventive with their face painting, and we had everything from a bat and a butterfly to Spiderman and a snake.

"The youngsters had a brilliant time. The schools love it, especially with school trips being cut back these days.

"It was a special day out for them all."

The annual kids day out event is run by Rotary Great Britain, and provides fun for disadvantaged youngsters and those with special needs all around the country.