Visually impaired people became VIPs of a different sort when they were allowed to get up close to the animals at Whipsnade Zoo.

Sight Concern Bedfordshire took 20 of its members to the zoo on Friday (Nov 20) for a special 'touch tour', which included elephants, a hawk, a rhino, parrots and lemurs. While they are registered blind, many of the members are still able to see light, shadow or blurry images.

Sight Concern's community support worker, Mark Chapman, said: "Sight Concern arranged sighted guides and the zoo have been wonderful with their encouragement and support with this trip.

"We couldn't have wished for better contact with the animals. The keepers and volunteers knew the answer to every question. Feeling the elephant's trunk was just magical, it was so tough and strong, and everyone was in a state of awe. To be so close to such a large gentle animal was something that we will never forget.

"To close the day surrounded by lemurs was so funny. The cheeky little creatures climbed over everyone, to get their food, and we were all giggling like children. Most of the visitors could not have seen these animals on a 'normal' zoo trip and so getting so close, and even touching them, made for a very special day.

"We'd also like to thank A to B Travel for supplying a minibus and the great driver who kept us out of the rain."