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Kids meet the 'bugman'

28/ 1/2002

IF SPIDERS and their scuttling companions send you screaming from the room, the last place you would have wanted to be last week was at a Blackley school.

Pupils at Plant Hill High School, on Plant Hill Road, got up close and personal with an unholy collection of your worst nightmares, from hand-size tarantulas to sinister scorpions, thanks to a visit from invertebrate specialist Roger Swails.

Teresa Spooner, a school technical support officer, said: "The children were really into it and had a fantastic time. The 'bugman' also attracted a lot of older children into the library as well, all interested in seeing the huge insects."

Mr Swails opened up his 'bugbox' to the awe stricken crowd, with everything from tarantulas and scorpions to giant African land snails and huge stick insects being available for close inspection.

The display is all part of the school's Animal Awareness Month, aiming to keep pupils thinking about the animal kingdom. It also ties in with Year 7 English lessons, which are concentrating on an animal theme.

From Ormskirk in Lancashire, Mr Swails has been passionate about invertebrates for many years and originally worked as a biology teacher before going freelance with his creatures.

He has now made many trips to schools throughout the region, giving youngsters a rare opportunity to see and handle some of these fascinating animals.