ALL sorts of weird and wonderful creatures were inhabiting Newport’s Kingsway Centre this week, including meerkats and snakes.

The family fun day allowed children to visit Doctor Zoolittle and hold and photograph some of his animals.

Among the creatures visiting the centre were meerkats, snakes, scorpions, a white falcon and rabbits.

While children were able to hold all the other animals, the meerkats – not quite as friendly as those in the television advertisements – were handled by keepers only.

Hundreds of youngsters stared in wonder and got involved with the special visitors.

The event formed part of the programme of events during half-term and it was followed yesterday by a Doctor Who lookalike who mingled with shoppers, while visitors to the centre had a chance to win a giant cut-out Tardis.