YOUNGSTERS haver the chance to get up close and personal with one of the most ferocious predators to ever walk the earth when Dinosaur Zoo roars into Clacton next week.

Tyrannosaurus rex is just one of the prehistoric monsters brought back to life by ingenious puppetry.

Dinosaur fans will be introduced to a range of incredibly life-like creatures, from cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants.

Audience members brave enough to get up close and personal with the dinosaurs are invited on stage to assist the Zoo Keeper, but be warned - not all of these ravenous reptiles are as tame as they seem.

Dinosaur Zoo hails from Australia and is now on its seventh UK tour.

The eye-popping show has sold out venues across the country and there is even a 'meat and greet’ session, giving every audience member a chance to meet the dinosaurs in person.

Director Scott Wright said: "The show is naturally geared towards kids. Children worldwide love dinosaurs but one of the surprising things about the show is that adults get a real kick out of it too.

"The show does have some great educational overtones but at the end of the day it is very funny and has a lovely endearing nature to it.

"We like to keep the show fresh by building new dinosaurs all the time and introducing them regularly so that we keep up to date with recent discoveries.

"Dinosaurs are awesome but they can also be big and scary – every kid knows that.

"People's reactions are very real and unpredictable so it makes for some wonderful moments.

"Thanks to the magic of theatre and people's desire to suspend their disbelief, more often that not just two minutes after you announce that all the dinosaurs are puppets, people forget and continue on the journey."

Dinosaur Zoo is at the Princes Theatre next Wednesday at 1.30pm and next Thursday at 2pm.***AUG3-4***

Tickets are £12.50 (£15 front rows) from the box office on 01255 686633.