A UNIQUE grotto experience will enable children to handle hissing cockroaches, stick insects and giant land snails.

This year, Father Christmas is giving his reindeer a rest and instead, has brought in Giant Land Snails to pull his sleigh during his visit to the Welsh Mountain Zoo.

Taking place this Saturday, December 22 and Sunday, December 23, the zoo will host Santa's not so Grotty Grotto.

During the same weekend, both adults and children can benefit from half price admission and visitors can enjoy a host of festive themed fun, activities and adventure.

Marcia Azevedo Moreira, marketing manager at the Welsh Mountain Zoo said: “This is the first time that we've hosted a Christmas Weekend Extravaganza and we’ve really packed a lot in. We’d like to invite as many local people as possible to join us here and really get into the Spirit of Christmas just before the big day.

"We wanted to do something different and less conventional than a traditional grotto. We know that our little visitors love our creepy crawlies and so have created a very special, ‘Grotty Grotto’.

"We’ve also got a fabulous combination of live music, entrainment, stalls and more, so we would like to extend an invitation to grown-ups and children alike, to come join us this weekend and take part in our fantastic Christmas festivities."

For the full line up, visit Welsh Mountain Zoo on Facebook.