CARE home residents have been treated to a surprise visit from a range of exotic animals.

Animal handlers Home Safari introduced residents at Lyndhurst Care Home in Leigh to a skunk, a snake, a meerkat, a hedgehog and an owl.

The College Street residents were allowed to hold and pet the animals and learnt various facts facts about them, their diets and their personalities.

Lucy Lewis, who has lived at Lyndhurst for more than 18 months, said: "I enjoyed holding and touching all of the animals but the owl was my favourite. It was so majestic and beautiful.

"I also found it very interesting to learn more about the other animals, especially their natural habitats."

The visit was set up for animal-assisted therapy (AAT).

By encouraging residents to ask questions while forming bonds with animals, ATT improves the wellbeing of older people and dementia patients as well as brings them together to socialise and later reminisce about their memories of the day.

Karen Clarke, manager of the Minster Care-run home, said: "Home Safari visits are always a highlight in our busy activities programme and it is wonderful to see our residents' faces light up when they get the chance to hold the animals, especially the more exotic ones that they have never seen before.

"It is such a great opportunity for our residents to get together to socialise and learn some new things, and the visits are always a major talking point for days."