BLUE PETER’S animal expert will host a day of Animal Magic in Basildon this week.

Scott Adams, from Exotic Zoo, who has appeared on CBBC and Cbeebies, will educate children on a host of creepy crawlies and slippery creatures from across the planet at the Eastgate Shopping Centre on Friday.

The centre’s “Bushtucker Trial” will give some brave shoppers the chance to face the Tarantula Booth.

Ian Clark, Eastgate’s centre manager, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Scott and his menagerie of big and little beasts to Eastgate during the summer holidays.

“It promises to be a great deal of fun and there will be lots of fantastic animals for youngsters of all ages to enjoy.”