Children in a Rickmansworth School caught the science bug this morning from “performance entomologist” Lee Gibbs.

The Big Bugs Show is an interactive performance which gave students of Rickmansworth School an insight into the exciting world of insects.

The hour-long performance showed and explained big bugs to a group of about 60 students.

Lee Gibbs, performance entomologist, said: “I do more than 100 days like this a year, making science exciting is my full time job.”

Students were invited to hold the giant snails, millipedes and Barbie the tarantula, which provoked a mixture of reactions from the audience.

The event was organised as part of the school's specialist science college status, which it has held for two years.

Headteacher Dr Stephen Burton said: “The show is excellent, it brings science to life; rather than just looking at pictures of insects you get to touch them and get excited about science.”

Rickmansworth Park, Shepherds Primary and Maple Cross Schools also joined in, as part of a community link programme.