Nine pictures of retro reptiles at events in South Tyneside in years past

Who knew! Reptile Awareness Day arrives next week and it’s a chance for people with a passion for snakes, lizards, turtles and terrapins to celebrate.

The international day of celebration, on October 21, is designed to educate people about these amazing creatures and to highlight the ecological threats they face.

But it also gives us a chance to look at reptile scenes closer to home. We have snakes, lizards and more from Laygate Community School, Boldon Comprehensive and South Shields Museum in photos taken by the Shields Gazette over the years.

On the scale of things, it’s a retro feature with a difference so why not join us as we slither back in time.