THE scariest creature in the woods made a special guest appearance to help Moors Valley Country Park celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Gruffalo fans were delighted to meet the life-size version of Julia Donaldson's loveable woodland monster over the weekend.

“Everyone loves the Gruffalo,” said countryside interpretation ranger Katie Davies.

With his, “terrible tusks, and terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws” he was on the move throughout the day, turning up at the visitor centre, picnic area and in the forest.

For his many fans there was much else to enjoy with the Moor's Valley Gruffalo Trail and the chance for youngsters to have their faces painted to look like him. Anyone who turned up dressed as a Gruffalo received a free mask to take home and colour in.

Other activities over the weekend included a free den building session, an anniversary walk with funny anecdotes and historical information, a photo wall showing the last 25-years and model railway weekend.

Also on show is a stunning dragonfly exhibition featuring the photos of Clifton Beard. The country park boasts more than half of the dragonflies and damselflies native to Britain.

“I am delighted that we are able to display Clifton Beard's amazing photographs,” said Katie. “Moors Valley has a dragonfly as its logo and it's especially fitting that we can show this exhibition on our 25th anniversary.

“Clifton's macro shots are stunning in their detail and reveal the hidden beauty of these delicate creatures,” she said.

The Gruffalo made guest appearances over Saturday and Sunday and the Dragons and Damsels exhibition can be seen every day during the summer.