IT was summer holiday fun of a wild kind for youngsters in Hook.

On Tuesday, Hook Community Centre hosted the first of its children’s activity days which it will stage throughout August.

With the aim of keeping children entertained without the involvement of a certain Pokémon game, the centre gave children the chance to get hands on with some real-life ‘monsters’.

Groups of youngsters turned up throughout the afternoon to meet Safari Pete for what was described as “free holiday fun”.

In tow, Safari Pete bought with him meerkats and owls, which played to the cute and fluffy side of safari wildlife. However, he also bought some friends which may have had children, and indeed their parents, hiding behind chairs.

Along with the fluffy variety, he bought monitor lizards, toads, tarantulas, scorpions, and his famous Jay Z the crocodile.

The creatures, which ranged from slimy and slithering to hopping and scurrying, and four legs to eight, kept children entertained all afternoon, providing many laughs, screams and intrigue.

Pete said that animal education at a young age was vital.

“Teaching children about animals and the environment at a young age is integral to raising them to have a conscientious approach to the environment and respect for those around them, regardless of species," he said.

“My passion for animals was sparked at a young age and has carried through to define my career, and I love passing on that passion and knowledge to the next generation.”

Further events will be held at the centre on Wednesday, August 10, and Friday, August 19, when Mucky Bucket Farm and Science Boffins will be paying a visit.