PRE-SCHOOL pupils in Grove chose to raise money for rescued reptiles on their sports day.

Children at North Drive Pre-school took part in egg and spoon and sack races during Wednesday’s event.

Proceeds from their fun and games will go to Lenny’s Lounge Lizards reptile rescue centre in Wantage.

After getting a close look at some of the lizards, Oliver Preston, four, from Grove, said: “I thought they were nice, but a bit tickly.”

Freya Bachelor, four, also from Grove, held Sam, a bearded dragon, and said: “I liked holding the lizards — we were allowed to touch them and they were soft.”

Lenny’s Lounge Lizards is run by 38-year-old Steve Mills from his home in Hamfield. He takes in any unwanted lizards, snakes and terrapins and gives them a new home.

At present he has 15 bearded dragons, 20 terrapins and a 12-foot Burmese python.

The money raised by the children will go towards a new £1,500 outhouse, which Mr Mills is building to allow him to continue his work.

He said: “It was absolutely brilliant. I couldn’t believe it when the school told me the kids had chosen to raise money for me.”