A group of Brownies spent a day at a petshop, touching a snake and learning about looking after fish as they worked towards their friends to animals badge.

The visit to Pets at Home in Beckton for the 1st Beckton Brownies was organised by Kathy Brown, Brown Owl. Kathy said: “We arranged the visit after we had a pow wow with the girls as we were working towards our friends to animals badge. A clause of that badge was to find out how pets are cared for and Pets at Home kindly let schools and brownie groups visit the shop.

“They gave a talk on how the fish are looked after. Then we saw the snakes and the girls were able to touch the snake which was a great feeling for the Brownies. We also saw the bearded dragon get fed and were shown the guinea pigs and rabbits.”

Kathy thanked staff at the store for their cooperation and in particular for allowing the Brownies to do a conga around the store as part of their big birthday challenge badge.

The Brownies are 100 years old this year and many are taking part in activities across the country to mark the occasion. The 1st Beckton Brownies have been running for 25 years.