Reptiles of all shapes and sizes descended on East Ham market yesterday.
The indoor market housed its first ever reptile house which was visited by more than 700 kids eager to touch and hold the animals which ranged from boa constrictors to cornsnakes, spiders, geckos and iguanas.
There was a long queue of children waiting to see the animals 45 minutes before the reptile house even opened.
Michelle Fitzgibbons, sales and marketing manager of East Ham market hall, said: “I was absolutely gobsmacked by the turnout and just over the moon.
“People of all ages loved it so we will definitely be inviting the animals back in the future.”
She faced her own fears and held an iguana for the first time.
The animals were provided by Reptile-Haven, a registered charity based in Dagenham, which takes in unwanted reptiles.
Facepainting was available in return to donations to the charity.
For more photos, click on the picture gallery.
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