Schoolgirl Michaela Carr spent a day as a zookeeper after winning a prize in a competition run by The Argus.

Michaela, 11, fed the penguins, groomed donkeys and cleaned out the meerkat enclosure. at Drusillas Park, Alfriston, near Polegate.

She beat hundreds of entrants to win the competition after correctly naming Drusillas' two new attractions this year.

She arrived at the park at 9am on Sunday with sisters Shanice, ten, and Maddison, three, and was met by zoo keeper Adam Jupp.

The day inspired Michaela, a Year 7 student at Hailsham Community College, to "adopt" one of five chinchillas at the zoo, voted Millennium Tourist Attraction of the Year.

Drusillas allows people to pay regular visits to an animal of their choice for either £25 or £40, which goes towards the animal's upkeep. Sponsors get a plaque with their name near their animal's enclosure, a certificate and free visits.

Michaela, of Hawkswood Drive, Hailsham, said: "It was brilliant. I didn't have a favourite bit because all of it was good. I've always liked animals and have lots of pets, like rabbits, hamsters and fish. This has just made me like them even more. I hope to become a zoo keeper myself one day."

Her mother Dawn, 40, went along and managed to cure her phobia of snakes after handling one.

Mrs Carr, a group worker with children, said: "Normally, I'm the first to run when a snake gets near me but Michaela said, 'Don't be a baby', so I started stroking it. It was quite lovely and smooth, not in the least bit scary. I think I'm fine with snakes now."

The prize was one of six offered in the Money Can't Buy competition, which drew hundreds of entrants from across Sussex.