SIX-year-old Iona Willcox looked fear in the eyes as she grabbed the chance to hold a snake.

On Sunday, Evolution Reptiles and Pets, in Wood Farm, invited visitors to handle the creatures and talk to staff about keeping them as pets.

Snake owner Donna Earl, 41, of Crosslands Drive, Abingdon, brought along five of her pets to the event.

She said: “It raises awareness of reptiles and shows they can be really good pets. People think snakes are scary but, as you can see by the little girl holding one, they are not.”

The event marked the third anniversary of the Atkyns Road shop’s opening and cash raised will go to the Sobell House Hospice.