ANIMAL WORLD, Moss Bank Park, Moss Bank Way, Bolton

Enter the fascinating world of nature touring the enclosures suited to each individual animal's own natural habitat. See farmyard animals, chipmunks, wildfowl and tropical birds. Experience the sights and sounds of a tropical rainforest and view butterflies and moths in free flight.

BLACKPOOL SEA LIFE CENTRE, The Promenade, Blackpool

The underwater tunnel offers visitors the chance to view sharks, stonefish, moray eels, lionfish and devil scorpions.

Open daily, 10am to 4pm, £5.99 for adults and £4.99 for children with family tickets priced at £16.75.

BLEAKHOLT ANIMAL SANCTUARY, Rochdale Road, Edenfield, Ramsbottom

A farm with a difference as you can look at retired sick or in between home animals in fields, outhouses and other habitats. There are several dogs, a pond, pigs, donkeys, horses and ponies. Open daily, 10am to 5pm, free.

BLUE PLANET, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire

View piranhas, golden dart frogs, sharks, whales and dolphins by walking through an underground tunnel. Free animal handling sessions, face painting and behind-the scenes tours are also part of this day out suitable for all the family. For further details of opening times and admission prices.

BOLTON AQUARIUM, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton

For unique views into the aquatic world where fish are on display from all over the world, some of which are highly threatened in their natural habitats, including Piranhas to Pufferfish, huge Catfish to tiny Tetras in an aquarium designed to allow the fish to behave as they would in the wild.

Open Mon to Sat, 10am-5pm, free

CHESTER ZOO, Caughill Road, Upton, Cheshire

Attractions include endangered species such as Komodo Dragons and Birds of Paradise. Visit the Wildlife Discovery Centre, the New Gardens, the Twilight Zone Bat Cave, Monkey Islands and the usual favourites -- chimpanzees, tigers, lions and the aquarium.

Open daily, 10am, £10.50 for adults, £8.50 conc. and family ticket £35.50.

DOCKER PARK FARM, Arkholme, near Carnforth, Lancashire. Plenty of opportunities for hands-on encounters including egg collecting, lamb feeding and tractor and pony rides.Open, daily, 10.30am to 5pm.

KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK, Prescott, Merseyside

A chance to see some of the world's most dangerous animals including white rhino, African elephants, zebras, giraffes, meerkats, monkeys, lions and otters in spacious and natural surroundings. A rollercoaster and pirate ship also add to the attractions.

Open daily, 10am to 3.30pm, £7 for adults and £5 for children.

MARTIN MERE WILDFOWL AND WETLAND, Burscough

An array of attractive species of wild birds including Australian black swans in natural habitats.

Open daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm.

STOCKLEY FARM, Arley, Northwich, Cheshire

Aspiring young farmers can bottle feed the lambs and goats, shovel grain into the troughs for the cows and pigs and stroke the rabbits.

Open Wednesdays, weekends and bank holidays, 11am to 5pm.

WINDMILL ANIMAL FARM, Red Cat Lane, Burscough, Lancashire

Walk, run and jump along with a collection of tame farm animals including pigs, rabbits, ponies and goats. Also, ride along the mini railway and play the adventure playground.

Open daily, 10am to 5pm.