BIG smiles and screams of delight disturbed the early morning peace and quiet at Pleasurewood Hills when a group of schoolchildren descended on the theme park.

BIG smiles and screams of delight disturbed the early morning peace and quiet at Pleasurewood Hills when a group of schoolchildren descended on the theme park.

Managers invited children from the neighbouring Corton and Gunton primary schools to visit their lovable sea lions on one of their usual days off and help launch a new competition.

Through Pleasurewood Hills' Schools Summer Competition one lucky pupil will get the chance to be a sea lion trainer for the day. They will win the chance to work alongside resident sea lion trainer Tracy Jacobs and even help to present the show.

The pupil's winning school will also receive �500 and there will also be two runners-up prizes of �250.

To launch the competition last Thursday, children from the two local schools were treated to a show from the sea lions.

Mrs Cunnane, headteacher from Corton Primary, said: 'All of the school have walked here from Corton. They were all so excited. It's lovely to have been invited.'

Pleasurewood Hills' new general manager Alexis Camelin was on hand to welcome the children into the park.

'It's nice to be open for the children when the park is closed,' he said. 'We always try to do as much as possible with schools, and are very keen to develop anything we can for the children.'

To win, pupils will be asked to answer five sea lion-based questions and explain in 30 words why they would want to work with the animals. Schools wishing to enter the competition should contact groups@pleasurewoodhills.com or 01502 586000 for an entry leaflet.