They're not the usual kind of customers at Carlisle library...

But bugs and beasts took over the children’s area as part of a half term session to educate kids about some of the world’s most weird and wonderful insects.

Guy Tansley, of Bugsnstuff, brought stick insects and a cockroach in his "magic box" so youngters could learn about life in the rainforest.

Mr Tansley said: "You tend to find that children aren’t scared. The under 10’s have no fear. "The main thing is that it’s educational

"I do a lot of research on tarantulas around the world and I like to pass on my enthusiasm about the natural world to the next generation."

First out of the magic box was a stick insect. Alex Grey, five, of Denton Holme and Daniel Brocklebank, 10, of Brampton, pretended to be trees and held the stick insect.

Alex said: "It was sticky and tickled."

Daniel said: "It felt a bit weird and sticky."

Mr Tansley told the assembled group that they had to stay as quiet as they could so the insects could experience a stress free environment.

"They don’t like noise," he said.

The second creature was a stony stick insect.

The children were allowed to stroke its back.

Ben Anderson, of Currock, Carlisle, attended the session with his son Nathaniel, four.

He said: "It’s brilliant. We usually come to the library and when I found this was on I thought it would be a good thing to take the kids too."

A giant leaf cockroach made its home on the library rug.

Mr Tansley, who has spent a lot of time in rainforests, said: "The reaction when most people see a cockroach is to scream. I let the children feel them to give them an experience."

Anyone who did not want to take part in holding the insects just had to fold their arms.

"I didn’t want anyone to be scared," said Mr Tansley.

He also shows giant tarantulas, frogs, millipedes, snakes and beetles.