THE weather outside may be frightful but staff at West Midland Safari park are making sure their reptiles don't get too chilly during the icy winter snap.

Cold-blooded animals like Holly the Burmese rock python need heat to stay alive and are being carefully looked after in their climate controlled cages.

Five-year-old Holly is one of around 25 snakes on display at the park near Bewdley.

"While the centre is closed over winter we only take them out to clean their cages," said keeper Andrea Redfern.

"We take them out for 15 minutes when it is warm enough."

During the warmer weather, when the centre is open, 7ft 6in-long Holly is often taken out of her cage to meet the public in "reptile encounters".

"We talk about the snakes and people get to touch them and ask questions," said Miss Redfern, who is the manager of the new Aqua Centre.

The Aqua Centre is due to open when the Safari Park re-opens to the public in March.

"There will be marine displays and freshwater displays, one of which will be piranha," said Miss Redfern.