WORK experience student Shaun Cox might be forgiven for monkeying around at his two-week placement.

The year ten pupil, from Lady Lumley's School, Pickering, is hard at work at Flamingo Land helping zoo staff care for the animals.

The 15-year-old Pickering lad has been helping showman Peter Bloom with the parrot and sea lion shows for visitors each day. He said: "I just like animals really and I like working with them. It's good getting to know them."

Peter said: "He's having real fun and he's fitted in well with everyone here.

"It's a bit different from some placements, I think."

Shaun is one of more than 150 Lady Lumley's pupils who have been experiencing the world of work.

Updated: 10:13 Monday, June 16, 2003