YOUNGSTER Beth Aveyard snapped up the chance to hold a baby crocodile in a guided tour.

Crocodiles of the World in Crawley, near Witney, ran the tours everyday during half term and let children hold some of the young reptiles.

Mum Nicola Aveyard, 48, from East Oxford, took her three children to the zoo yesterday for her youngest child Jay’s sixth birthday.

She said: “It was great. They really liked it. You can handle them, which is fantastic. This was a bit different in a lot of ways.”

Daughter Beth held a young West African Dwarf Crocodile.

The 11-year-old, pictured, said: “The crocodiles, as well as being interesting, were really cute as well. I didn’t think it could hurt me. I’ve never held one before so it was really nice.”

Owner Shaun Foggett said: “It’s a great way for kids to learn about crocodiles – which are fairly dangerous animals – in a safe and close-up way.”

He said the crocodiles were popular with children, adding: “They love seeing them and learning about them.”