Pupils from the Precious Blood Primary School watch an Ocean Park handler feed a seal during a trial run of the park's summer school programme. 'Me, me, me!' shouted the children when asked who wanted to feed the dolphins.

The 10 schoolchildren, aged six and seven, were the first to experience the park's education, conservation and animal interaction summer programme.

They squealed with excitement as they fed and learnt about various animals - dolphins, sea lions, macaws and butterflies - and one brave child even got up to give a short talk about otters. There was a scramble to be the volunteer in every activity on the Level 1 course - and some disappointment that only 12 to 15-year-olds can join the Level 4 course, which includes a sleepover with the sharks.