LITTLE Havens Children’s Hospice, in Thundersley, unveiled its new butterfly mascot at a tea party at Tropical Wings Zoo, South Woodham Ferrers.

Visitors and guests enjoyed sandwiches, tea, and cakes and butterfly-inspired games. They met the mascot and the zoo’s parrot mascot Mr Macawber.

Alison Mullins, from the hospice, said: “Events like this are brilliant occasions for our families to spend time together having fun. I thank everybody at the zoo for making that possible.”

Jay Wood, the zoo’s general manager, said: “The collaboration between Tropical Wings and Little Havens has brought fun and excitement, as well as education, and we look forward to supporting Little Havens further.”

Little Havens is holding a competition to name its mascot. To find out more about the competition, and to enter online, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/butterfly.