ONE zoo, forty incredible life-sized animal sculptures – and a staggering 2,128,695 bricks to build them. Animal Bricktacular has come to Twycross for the school summer holidays.

The 80-acre Twycross Zoo, in Leicestershire, is playing host to the special season event from July 13 to September 1 this year, and the result is a fabulous family day out.

The newcomers rub shoulders with 500 real animals encompassing 125 different species, and add to attractions already including a huge soft play area, Wet and Wild splash park, and the Gruffalo Discovery Land.

Grab your trail map and set off in search of the model brick  sculptures, which range from lion cubs and a king cobra to an enormous elephant and a 12ft tall giraffe.

They’re dotted throughout the zoo, some in plain sight but others craftily hidden down pathways between the enclosures so that you really have to explore.

At each sculpture stop, there are conservation facts about the animals so you can learn about the importance of them and their habitats – info that comes in handy for completing the Bricktacular Adventure quiz!

Admission also includes the Brick Builder Zone, sited near the Eastern Black Rhinos area. Here, brick enthusiasts can create their own mini brick sculptures.

Either follow the designs to build a rhino or giraffe to be put on display, or let your imagination run wild and create your own animal which can be entered into prize competitions.

There are various photo opps, including a safari car and a yellow submarine – somebody at the zoo must be a Beatles fan! – so the kids can snap some selfies and family shots.

Of course, we can’t forget about the sculptures’ real-life counterparts who live here. Twycross is the only zoo in the UK – and one of only four worldwide – where you can see all four Great Apes in one place.

Among our other favourites are Amur Leopards, Sumatran Tigers, Black Rhinos and Giraffes. Each of these incredible animals is an amazing sight and their grace, power and beauty leave me in awe.

I visited Twycross Zoo at the weekend with my two sons for a fun-filled day exploring, and one of the highlights for us was the Lorikeet feeding in the Lorikeet Landing House.

You can walk through through the area, amongst the brightly coloured birds, for free but you can also purchase food for them at £2 per pot and feed them as you go. Just watch that they don’t pinch the pot!

My sons rounded off the day in the large soft play area just outside the main entrance. This comes at extra cost –  £7 for non-members and £3.50 for Twycross members – allowing children aged 0-12 an hour’s play while grown-ups can indulge in a well-deserved drink or snack.

It was during this relaxing coffee break that I was finally lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the elusive Snow Leopard in the neighbouring enclosure. The silver grey fur, metre-long tail and huge furry paws was an incredible sight and the perfect end to the bricktastic day.

Admission to Twycross Zoo starts at £25.50 per adult and £18.50 per child (three to 17 years). Under-threes get in free. Good news is that the price includes return visits for a year.

For hours, attractions and experience packages see the official Twycross Zoo website.