From giant snails to cockroaches, children have been queuing up for the chance to meet creepy crawlies in Norwich.

Norfolk's insect zoo, BugzUK, visited Castle Quarter for a one-day event on Tuesday (February 14).

Norwich Evening News: There were lots of insects to meet at Castle Quarter in Norwich (Picture: Owen Sennitt)There were lots of insects to meet at Castle Quarter in Norwich (Picture: Owen Sennitt) (Image: Newsquest)

BugzUK Parc is a five-acre invertebrate zoo opened by Martin French at the former home of Norfolk Wildlife Park in Lenwade and boasts more than 200 different species.

Norwich Evening News: Finley Palmer, 12, holding a giant African snail (Picture: Owen Sennitt)Finley Palmer, 12, holding a giant African snail (Picture: Owen Sennitt) (Image: Newsquest)

The team brought along a collection of its insects including millipedes, giant African snails and cockroaches, with visitors getting to learn more about them.

There was a long queue of children eager to meet the bugs and those that were brave enough had the chance to hold them, bringing looks of uncertainty and smiles as the creatures wriggled about.

BugzUK was started by Mr French more than 20 years ago, who previously worked as a chartered accountant, and he began by breeding tropical invertebrates in his garden shed. 

Norwich Evening News: A giant African snail at the BugzUK event at Castle Quarter in Norwich (Picture: Owen Sennitt)A giant African snail at the BugzUK event at Castle Quarter in Norwich (Picture: Owen Sennitt) (Image: Newsquest)

The event was held as part of Castle Quarter's ongoing programme of family-friendly activities for all ages.