MEMBERS of the public are being invited to get up-close-and-personal with some of the UK's rarest reptiles

RSPB Arne is hosting a special free 'Reptile Weekend' next Saturday (August 18) and Sunday (August 19).

Ed Chivers, the nature reserve's visitor experience manager, said: "RSPB Arne is jammed-packed with a huge variety of fantastic wildlife, including rare birds, mammals and invertebrates. And it is also one of a very select number of sites in the UK where you can find all six native reptiles living side-by-side.

"Join us for our special, free Reptile Weekend. Discover the secretive lives of these slithery creatures at our hourly show-and-tell talks.

"We’ll be showing snakes and lizards in the hand and families can enjoy our fun children’s activity too."

Visit rspb.org.uk/arne for further details.