YOUNG nature lovers were introduced to some unusual visitors when a group of farmyard animals was brought to their York nursery.

More than 60 children at Rawcliffe's Leapfrog Nursery played with guinea pigs, rabbits, ducks, chickens and chicks.

The small animals were brought in from Bishop Burton College, Beverley, which runs a number of agricultural courses.

Children aged between four months and five years old were given the opportunity to touch the animals in the Manor Road nursery's large garden.

The visit was part of an 'Animals and Spring' theme of events and activities at the centre, which cares for up to 120 children a day.

Manager Elaine Armstrong said the two-hour event was a fabulous experience for the children.

She said: "The chicks were definitely the children's favourite because they were so cute."

The farm animal visit follows the success of an afternoon of pony rides in the nursery garden earlier this year.

Updated: 11:27 Wednesday, April 10, 2002