Why was Princess Katie the rat at college?

Princess Katie the rat and Colin the corn snake were among a group of animals who visited children at a Huntingdon nursery for a hands-on learning experience.

Children had a chance to get up close and personal with animals ranging from a millipede to a gecko, during the event thanks to ZooLab, which specialises in interactive learning with children and adults.

Teddy Bear Nursery, on the Huntingdon campus of Cambridge Regional College, welcomed Jarvis the cockroach, Honey the Gecko, Phantom the tarantula, Princess Katie the rat and Morris the millipede.

Chris Knowles, of ZooLab, said: “We visit people of all ages across the country to help them learn about animals while having fun in a way that ties in with the national curriculum.”

Pam Burton, Head of Teddy Bear Nursery, said: “This annual event in our calendar really helps grow children’s confidence in an enjoyable way while also learning lots of interesting facts about animals.

“Watching the children’s faces light up while they are allowed to get this close to tiny creatures is great to see.

ZooLab has been established for 20 years delivering educational experiences across all subjects.

They tour schools for educational visits, deliver training sessions and client events and also visit care homes and hospice settings.

A spokesman for ZooLab said: “We harness the power of animal therapy to make people’s lives better in measurable ways, sometimes in the most difficult circumstances.”