Animal lovers can get up close to some of London Zoo's favourite residents by becoming a Penguin keeper for a morning.

The new experience starts at the Regent's Park attraction from March 8, with honorary keepers getting the chance to care for the colony of 70 Humboldt penguins.

Participants will get stuck into a Penguin Keeper’s morning routine, carefully preparing a fishy breakfast for the flightless birds before having fun feeding them.

Ham & High: The 90 minute experience includes preparing breakfast and feeding the birds and cleaning up the Zoo's Penguin Beach enclosureThe 90 minute experience includes preparing breakfast and feeding the birds and cleaning up the Zoo's Penguin Beach enclosure (Image: ZSL)

The Zoo's experts will be on hand to answer questions including fascinating facts about each penguin and their daily health checks, before budding keepers help with the mammoth task of cleaning up their poo.

Visitors are then free to explore the rest of the zoo, which has 14,000 animals including gorillas, lions and tigers, many of which are threatened in the wild and part of important global breeding programmes.

London Zoo’s Head of Commercial, Lee Duffy said: “If you’ve ever dreamt of mucking in (or mucking out) with a team of Zookeepers, now is your chance. Adding this extra special moment to your visit to London Zoo will make a unique experience; families and friends can come behind-the-scenes of our conservation zoo, creating incredible memories together."

Ham & High: The experience is suitable for families with children aged 8 and up and includes cleaning up penguin poopThe experience is suitable for families with children aged 8 and up and includes cleaning up penguin poop (Image: ZSL)

The 90 minute experience is suitable for adults and families with children aged 8 upwards and takes place on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with just four people per group.

Tickets start from £115 per person, plus admission to London Zoo. visit londonzoo.org/penguinkeeper to find out more.

Over half term at London Zoo budding young vets can take part in an award-winning role-playing experience Vets in Action.

Running from February 10-18 and included in the price of the entry ticket, children will step into the role of a vet at a recreated Animal Hospital.

Prepped with gloves and masks, they will help experts examine, diagnose and carry out treatments on soft toys – from microchipping crocodiles to caring for a wounded lion.