HORDES of children queued for their chance to meet a special visitor in Blackburn's Mall - a giant cockroach.

While their parents backed off to a more comfortable distance, the children let Cilla, the Madagascan, crawl along their hands during her outing from Blackpool Zoo yesterday.

The insect was there, along with an African Land Snail, to promote the zoo and raise awareness of the trade in endangered species.

A table of products made of tiger and elephant skin, ivory and turtle shell, was also on display.

Jude Rothwell, of Blackpool Zoo, said: “The trade in endangered species is worth more globally than the drugs trade, and not a lot of people know that.

“We want people to be aware of what they can, and cannot, bring back from holidays, such as products made from elephant skin and ivory.

“Items will be confiscated by customs, and people can face fines, or even imprisonment.”

She added: “We’ve brought the cockroach and the snail along for children to learn for themselves about the creatures other people have an uncomfortable reaction to.

“Children also have a good pester-power, so if we can teach them about products you shouldn't buy, then we hope they will tell their parents and other people.”