PICTURES: Snakes top in popularity stakes among exotic animals, according to poll at Summer Kids Club at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness

Snakes were top in the popularity stakes of exotic animals visiting a children’s club, a poll of the youngsters revealed.

Youngsters attending the Summer Kids Club at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness were invited to get up close to residents from Scottish Exotic Animal Rescue.

The favourites were the snakes closely followed by the bearded dragon although 20 per cent of the children could not decide on their favourite and ticked all the animals.

The free club is taking place every Wednesday during the summer holidays.

Shopping centre manager Jackie Cuddy said the latest session had been a great success with queues all day for the exotic animals and face painting.

“The kids just love the interaction with the animals,” she said. “It was definitely the parents who were more wary about touching the exotic animals the kids just got right in there."

In addition Fit Kidz were on site with toys provided by The Entertainer.

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