More than 65 people attended Star Bright Day Nursery’s family fun day, which featured activities ranging from face painting to massages.

Youngsters also had the exciting opportunity to cradle and stroke some of the 50 different animals on display, provided by J&C’s Party Pets, at the nursery in Mawney Road, Romford.

This included snakes, armadillos, a giant rabbit and even tarantulas.

The fun filled experience, open to all members of the community, was hosted on a Saturday to ensure working parents could come along.

“It was a real pleasure to see children of all ages from babies to older children petting unusual animals they have never experienced.

“A number of people faced their fears by holding animals they wouldn’t normally like,” said Roxsanne Nicholson, the nursery’s manager.

“And look out for our Christmas fair, featuring a Santa’s grotto and real life reindeers, on December 16,” she added.