THEY say in journalism you should never work with animals or children.

Well, our photographer Damian Halliwell threw caution to the wind when he joined the team from the Earth Trust for their half term Wildlife Wednesday this week.

The environmental charity, based at Little Wittenham, left its base and invaded Didcot's Mowbray Fields, taking with it a variety of feathered and spikey friends.

Dr Sasha Norris of Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue brought her tawny owl to meet the visitors, while the trust's own Isabel Haer introduced Sunday the hedgehog.

There were also a host of natural arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, 'potion making' and a mud kitchen.

The session was partially funded by Chelsea tea and coffee company Whittard with funds raised by the 5p plastic bag charge.