A ‘deadly’ day out for the Hewis family from St Albans turned out to be just the opposite when they explored Whipsnade Zoo accompanied by TV presenter Steve Backshall.

They were one of two Herts families to win a competition in association with the zoo’s Deadly-themed trail last year which offered winners the chance to take a trip around the zoo with Steve who presents CBBC’s Deadly 60.

The prize won by Gill, Adrian, Fred and Heather Hewis included a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feed otters, giraffes, and hippos as well as a chance to be as emulate Steve himself and handle some giant bugs.

Steve, last year’s Strictly Come Dancing contestant, said it had been a real privilege to meet the competition winners, “all of whom have given me a run for my money when it comes to knowing lots about animals.”

Fred, 12, was bowled over by the otters, “because they’re funny and feeding them was brilliant”, while his sister Heather, aged nine, said she “loved every single thing about the day, even making friends with a cockroach!”