Creepy crawlies take over town

Northern Invertebrate Show organiser Nick Wadham on stage and, from top, salmon pink tarantula, tailless whip scorpion, Chinese oak butterfly, a katydid and right, African millipedes will all be on show from World Life Conservation, who says: “Allowing children to hold animals is wonderful because you can set up a lifelong fascination.

“They can hold some of the snakes, stick insects, giant snails the size of a sweet potato and giant vinegaroon scorpions (inset) which squirts vinegar out of its bum!” Nick says out of the many animals on display people are most squeamish about the spiders, adding: “It’s great because I like to pick out the wimpiest grown-up and make them hold tarantulas! “We have a 13ft Burmese python but don’t worry, she will have been fed! If she does get hold of you she’ll probably just give you a cuddle because snakes like warmth.

“We also have Mr Kill. He’s a nasty piece of work. He’s a 13in bat-eating centipede. One slip and you’ve been bitten – and you’re in a lot of pain.

“We’re also bringing assassin bugs – they are evil! If one bites you it really hurts and aches for 24 hours. I’ve been bitten and it’s not nice.

“And we also have an 8” giant forest scorpion – they are medically significant. Their venom can make you feel very ill.”

Any parents worried about health and safety can rest assured their children aren’t going to be eaten!

Nick said: “All our animals are risk-assessed. We provide antiseptic hand wash, children are not permitted to handle the tarantulas or scorpions under any circumstances, the snakes are regularly used and used to being handled.

“Traders are prohibited from selling to unaccompanied children, or anyone under the age of 16.”

The event is at Huddersfield Leisure Centre in Spring Grove Street tomorrow from 11am to 4pm.

Entry is £4 for adults and £2 for children. Entry to see the Wild and Deadly show, where you can hold some of the animals, is an extra £2.