Children came face-to-face with creatures from the land that time forgot as they roamed a King's Lynn park.

Erth's Dinosaur Petting Zoo has been drawing huge crowds with its shows for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, and yesterday families from across West Norfolk were the latest people to meet the prehistoric beasts at The Walks.

A baby dryosaur along with a leaellynasaura, meganeura and australovenator made a special appearance to entertain and educate the youngsters about creatures that inhabited the earth millions of years ago.

Children also had the opportunity to help feed, water and care for these life-like dinosaurs but were warned to take care as there was a very hungry carnivore amongst the dinosaurs.

For the young palaeontologists attending, there were also 'archeological digs' where children had the chance to dig out fossils from sandboxes.

Youngsters at the free event also made their very own dinosaur tooth to take home, using an original mould of a dinosaur tooth.

West Norfolk Council cabinet member Elizabeth Nockolds said: 'This was a rare and exciting opportunity for children to get up close and personal with these magnificent beasts.

'The show was interactive so children had the chance to really get to know about these creatures in a way that they will remember forever.'

The Norfolk and Norwich Festival runs until May 26. For more information about the array of festival events visit the festival website www.nnfestival.org.uk