CHILDREN from Bourton-on-the-Water got up close and personal with huge dinosaurs, after receiving the opportunity to be the first to explore a major new attraction in the village.

Pupils from Bourton-on-the-Water Primary School got an exclusive preview of the new Jurassic Journey at Birdland on Friday, May 15.

The Year 6 youngsters had the opportunity to be among the first to explore the major new prehistoric feature which is home to more than 30 life-size dinosaurs.

As well as meeting the dinosaurs and trying out the new interactive trail through the park the pupils were also able to test their skills as young palaeontologists in a special fossil and dinosaur excavation area, the Dino Dig.

Birdland’s Simon Blackwell said: “We were really pleased with the feedback from the class, and how much they enjoyed the experience.

“The children had a chance to explore, find clues around the trail and to get hands on in the Dino Dig discovering fossils."

Deputy headteacher of Bourton Primary John Moore said: “All the children had a fantastic time at the new Jurassic Journey trail. They enjoyed finding the Discovery Code and spotting the dinosaurs, especially the smaller ones that were hidden throughout the trail.

"It is a wonderful facility to have and we are organising a few trips with our school houses to return to Birdland. The children mentioned that they particularly liked digging in the sand – they have asked to go back again!”

Jurassic Journey opens this Saturday for May half term and takes visitors on an expedition back through time to an era when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Armed with special dinosaur tracker kits, people will be able to venture in to a Jurassic-themed landscape which is home to more than 30 different dinosaurs ranging from a metre-long baby stegosaurus to a five metre tall brachiosaurus.

Visitors will also be able to spot dinosaur eggs along with complete dinosaur skeletons.