FAMILIES have been given a backstage pass into the world of a species long since extinct - the dinosaurs.

And it's all thanks to a company of puppeteers who give life to the prehistoric creatures through a specialist show that promises to educate as well as entertain.

Dinosaur Zoo, run by the Australian-based company Erth, follows their story right from the moment they are little hatchlings all the way to full-size carnivore.

But this isn't a show that aims to strike fear into its audience - though that may well happen, such is the life-likeness of the puppets.

These zookeepers are a funny bunch with their razor-sharp wit, but also the ability to ventriloquise well.

It's a performance that evolves just as the dinos themselves did back in the day all thanks to audience participation.

Head zookeeper, Shaun Morton, said: "It's just to introduce kids to dinosaurs and get them to see them up close and personal.

"We start with babies and work our way up, from the duck-billed dinosaur - the Parasaurolophus, then we work up to a giant Titanosaur, which is the biggest one we have.

"It's kind of a presentation if Steve Irwin were to do dinosaurs. We have a lot of fun. It's very interactive. It's not a kids show by any means, it's a family show.

"It changes every day because we get the kids involved and you never know what will happen. We get three-year-olds who are fearless and then you have 14-year-olds who scream the place down. It really depends on the show."

Performance times today at Lighthouse, Poole, are 11am and 2pm and tickets cost £15 for the danger zone area, £12 for other areas.

Contact the booking office on 0844 406 8666 or visit lighthousepoole.co.uk for more information.