TARANTULAS, snakes and lizards alike are united in their dismay at being unable to keep their appointments with Blackpool and Fylde schoolchildren.

While some creepy-crawly cowards may be sighing in relief to hear this news, many inquisitive reptile and spider lovers are set to be let down unless local schools urgently contact the angry arachnids.

The Blackpool-based Wild Animal Sanctuary Project, sent some 400 letters out to local schools in October 1997, intending to visit them with their highly acclaimed creepy crawly roadshow.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of the replies have gone missing in the mail.

Strenuous efforts including police involvement have been made to trace the post, but all have failed.

Consequently, they are appealing to all schools who received post from them to get in touch as soon as possible to confirm dates.

Roadshow organiser Janet Huddart said: "We are all very upset at the post going missing.

"You can imagine what is going to happen - schoolchildren will be waiting in the assembly hall and we fail to turn up, simply because we didn't know which correspondence from which school has gone missing.

"So we would like the schools to get in touch with us immediately."

Since the project began three years ago, the show has delighted thousands of pupils.

The scheme has many unusual animals in its collection, including snakes, lizards and spiders, many of which have been rescued.

Janet added: "Children love the show, as we aim to teach them in a fun and imaginative way about these unique animals and their ways.

"Such current trends for reptiles as pets heightens the necessity to understand them. We also try to lay a few phobias to rest."

To confirm your road showdate, you can call in at the projects office at 248 Church Street, Blackpool, or phone Janet on 622788.

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