A woolly surprise awaited a group of blind and visually impaired people from across the county when they visited a zoo for a 'touch tour'.

The group was taken to meet the animals at Whipsnade Zoo by the charity Sight Concern Bedfordshire, and it was the first time that many of them had come up close to wild animals.

The tour began at the farm, and all had a feel of a donkey and a sheep. One lady, who has had restricted vision all her life, said she hadn't realised what a sheep was like as she had never had the opportunity to get close enough before.

The visitors went on to the discovery centre and got to hold the insects. The group reported that the beetles were softer and hairier than they had expected, and the larvae were much less slimy.

The highlight of the day for most people was feeding the Asian rhinos.
One very young girl, who has a phobia of dogs, said that she got so close to a rhino that she could feel its breath – and that she now feels much more confident.

Mark Chapman, the community support worker who organised the event, said: "It's not every day that I get to have such fun as this. The zoo has been very helpful and was only too pleased to support this event.

"It was a really exciting new experience for everyone, and we would like to thank the zoo from the bottom of our hearts."

Sight Concern Bedfordshire offers a range of support services, including benefits advice, equipment and aids to support independent living, emotional and practical support, accompanied shopping and
talking newspapers.

For more information, call 01234 311555, or visit the
charity at 116 Bromham Road, Bedford.