Lizards, snakes and tortoises walked into a Sunderland care home — and the residents loved it

Halloween at Archers Park care home in Farringdon, Sunderland came with unusual guests. Alongside fancy dress, a best-dressed competition, games, music and 'plenty of laughter', residents met the visitors from Emma's Exotic Animal Encounters — lizards, snakes and tortoises passed gently from hand to hand. For residents feeling brave, there were face-to-face introductions; for everyone, a talking point that sparked, in the home's words, curiosity, conversation and smiles. It was, by all accounts, a frightfully good party.