CHILDREN from local charity group, The Crediton Playscheme, were thrilled to receive a visit from Exmoor Zoo during the half term.

The children gathered at the Crediton Station Tea Rooms, now run by The Turning Tides Project, and spent the morning learning about some different animals, interacting with millipedes, snakes a tree hedgehog and a beautiful owl. Crediton Playscheme would like to thank the zoo for a wonderful morning of education and fun.

The rest of the day was spent preparing for forthcoming winter celebrations with some messy, but very enjoyable, pumpkin carving and very artistic designs applied to some Christmas decorations, both of which the children took home with them.

Secretary of the Crediton Playscheme, Bridget Ashplant, said of the day: "All of the activities that we did today were a first for us.

"We try to do different things as much as possible to give the children a variety of opportunities to learn, bond socially and, most importantly, have a good time doing this.

"Thank you so much to Exmoor Zoo for the experience that they provided.

"The children absolutely loved it!

"Thank you also to Crediton Tesco for donating the pumpkins that the children used during the carving session. Some of the designs were frightening indeed."

The Crediton Playscheme is a local charity funded purely by donations and grant applications.

The Playscheme allows children from in and around the Crediton area to come together for social, educational and enjoyment whilst giving the families a day of respite.

The Charity is run exclusively by volunteers.

Bridget finished by asking if anyone has a spare day to help out, it would be very much appreciated.

She said: "The hardest thing that the committee finds to do is acquire volunteers for our day trips and activities.

"We always appreciate the wonderful donations and fundraising opportunities that are provided for and to us, but without the help of people - of any age from 16 upwards - to help for just one or two days a year we cannot continue to provide the days and activities that we do, and local children will miss out on a service that has proven to be so successful for them and their families in so many ways."

If you, or anyone you know, would like to help young Crediton children benefit from the excellent work that The Crediton Playscheme does then you can contact them at: [email protected] .

For more information you can visit their website at: www.creditonplayscheme.org or search for them on Facebook under Crediton Playscheme.