MY stomach tightened as I moved through the crowds. If there was an Olympic medal for cowardice, I'd be a contender for gold.

I don't like to put myself in risky situations... so what was I thinking of bringing my family to Flamingo Land, home to thrill rides with names such as Cliff Hanger, and Velocity (the fastest launch coaster of its type in the world, just in case you were wondering)?

Well, I'd come to visit the zoo - and, more specifically, to check out its latest additions: lions and chimps in special new enclosures.

But first, we were invited to feed the lemurs. And this is where my tummy started to contract. I can empty a tin of cat food into a bowl, give a dog a bone, but never, ever, have I let any sort of animal eat out of my hand.

But when Flamingo Land zookeeper Dean Cross arranged for us to give the ring-tailed lemurs their lunch I decided this was the chance to face my fear - and show my three-year-old that feeding animals is fun.

'Mind the electric fence,' warned Dean as he led us into Lemur Island. Inside, the animals leapt for us on hind legs, their tiny hands frantically grabbing for pieces of date, banana and grape.

My daughter Eva and her friend Saskia, also three, spent most of the time on the hip of my husband Nick and I, rigid with fear, as we tried to pretend that giving a wild animal from Madagascar his lunch was as routine as throwing bread to the ducks.

Lemur feeding is just one of the perks open to people who sponsor animals at the zoo or anyone who books, for a special fee, to be a zookeeper for the day.

And it's just one of many highlights a day at Flamingo Land affords. While most people probably go to the theme park to test their mettle against the gravity-defying rides, the zoo is a must-see part of any visit.

A good idea is to board the little train which encircles the zoo enclosure and allows you to see the giraffes, hippos, zebra, camels and rhinos. You can stop off at several points en route for a longer visit with your animals of choice.

New for this year are two enormous wooden enclosures, specially built for the chimps and lions.

At Chimp Island you can watch the zoo's four chimps up close through giant windows. We studied Nelson who at 44 is affectionately known as Old Boy. His black hair was slightly greying and his leathery face well worn and he seemed quite content to sit on the grass, letting the day pass him by.

In the heart of the zoo is the Forgotten City Lion Reserve, a generous green space within a wooden enclosure with sky-high windows, enabling you to watch the beasts from various positions. For big cat lovers, there are similarly-designed homes for lynx and tigers.

We spent ages watching three kangaroos loll around in their pen - awe-struck by the contrast between their enormous back legs and tiny front arms.

No visit to Flamingo Land would be complete without a visit to the birds which give the park its name. When we rounded on Flamingo Lake, the coral-coloured birds were in rest mode - standing on one leg, close together by the water's edge.

The bird walk is another 'must-see' with colourful macaws and a condor with a ten-feet wing span.

There is also a children's farm and play park and kiddies' rides at this part of the attraction.

Admission charges to Flamingo Land are high but worth it for the entire package on offer.

If, like me, it's just the zoo that appeals, then wait for the winter season when reduced entry charges apply.

Fact file

Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo

Kirby Misperton, Malton.

Info line: 0870 752 8000

Website: www.flamingoland.co.uk

Opening times: Daily: 10am-6pm

Prices: £17.50 (adult); £16.50 (child over four); £8.75 (seniors and disabled); £64 (family ticket for four).

Getting there: From York, take the A64 towards Malton then the A169 towards Pickering.

Updated: 11:03 Saturday, August 27, 2005