Children have been invited to be vets at London Zoo during the school half-term.

Animal-loving youngsters will each be given gloves and masks and speak to professional vets at a recreated animal hospital at the Regent's Park attraction.

The youngsters will help diagnose and carry out treatments on soft toys, learning about the work carried out by the zoo’s vets, animal nurses and zookeepers — from microchipping crocodiles to caring for a wounded lion.

It gives them an insight into the London Zoo’s conservation programme, from learning about animal anatomy to how vets are helping wildlife.  

Once their ‘shift’ is over, the ‘mini-vets’ and their families can spend the rest of the day looking round the 36-acre zoological gardens, which are home to 300 species, many of which are threatened in the wild, learning about the zoo’s part in global breeding programmes.

Interactive family events will take place from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 February, with other activities planned during the half term week. 

Details are on the London Zoo website at https://www.londonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/events/vets-action-london-zoo