CHILDREN got up close and personal with some unusual animals at Colchester’s Natural History Museum.

Youngsters got the chance to meet spiders, meerkats and a giant python at the Go Live event.

Wildlife experts were also on hand to teach the youngsters facts and figures about the animals which they are unlikely to be able to see or get close to in the wild.

The session was part of Colchester Council’s range of half term activities which aimed to give youngsters a chance to beat boredom during the school holidays.