HISTORY came full circle at Washford's Tropiquaria Zoo last Friday when the granddaughter of the centre's first head keeper followed in his footsteps to spend the day looking after some of the many inhabitants.

Lucy Helman, 15, was on holiday with her parents when she signed up to become a keeper for the day at Tropiquaria.

But her visit was particularly poignant for Tropiquaria staff as her late grandfather Clive Bennet was the zoo's first head keeper back in the 1990s.

He was a world renowned expert on fish snakes and other reptiles and spent most of his working life at the UK's first privately funded zoo, Belle Vue in Manchester.

Under his supervision Belle Vue is recorded as having the first captive breeding of royal pythons.

Lucy has clearly inherited her grandfather's passion for animals and has already set her heart on becoming a vet.

She spent the day getting to know some of the furry, feathered and scaled creatures currently living at Tropiquaria, including the ever inquisitive ring-tailed lemurs (pictured).

Chris Moiser, Tropiquaria's zoological director said: "I first met Clive in the early 1990s, well before we ever thought that we would end up owning Tropiquaria.

"It was lovely to meet his daughter and granddaughter and I am sure that Clive would have been proud that Lucy has clearly inherited his love and respect for animals and his aspirations towards a veterinary career.

"I think it is very likely that Lucy may return here for work experience when she is old enough."