A wild a great day for crowd.

Byline: Wendy Horton

A RECORD crowd converged on Cwmcarn Forest Drive and Visitor Centre for a really wild day out in the sunshine.

More than 1,200 animal lovers recently visited the popular visitor centre in Cwmcarn, near Risca, for this year's Wildlife 2002 event. Children and adults alike had the chance to hold snakes, feed baby hedgehogs, stroke rabbits or enjoy an ice cream while watching the falconry displays in the sunshine.

Some of the groups which attended the event included Hedgehogs Helpline, Owl Sanctuary, Bristol Zoo, Emma Williams with her rabbits, Halsbands Falconry and Gwent Beekeepers Association.

There were also Otters, Sarda rescue dogs, ostriches, the International Tortoise Association, hamsters, gerbils, Guinea pigs and much more.

Liam Clapham, five, from Cefn Hengoed, said: ``There were lots of different animals on show and I even had a chance to hold a big yellow snake.

``I can't wait to go back again next year!'' As well as the animal attractions, there were also plenty of other fun activities including an inflatable, face painting, entertainment and special workshops providing circus activities.

The Cwmcarn Forest Drive and VisitorCentre offers a seven-mile scenic route through the rolling hills and green mountains of one the country's largest urban forests.

Combined with a four-star campsite nestling along the banks of the Nantcarn stream, the Forest Drive is the perfect location for pleasure, leisure and holiday trips.

The drive itself has seven car parks where visitors can stop, go for a walk and enjoy a picnic or barbecue.

If walking is your chosen pursuit then you can sample a range of self-guided walks for all abilities taking in the extensive flora, fauna and sculpture trails of this stimulating environment.

For the really energetic, the new Mountain Bike Trail, due to be completed this summer, can be preceded by a hearty meal from the Visitor Centre Coffee Shop.

For more information, ring the Cwmcarn Forest Drive Visitor Centre on 01495 272001.

Anyone with a story about the Caerphilly area can ring reporter Wendy Horton on 01443 839157 from Monday to Wednesday or Jean Parry on 01443 480579 on Thursday and Friday.