Young ghouls and goblins are invited to get a spooky start on Halloween at tomorrow's "Zoo Boo" at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ).

The popular annual open house, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., offers free public admission to the Flatts facility, which will be decked out for the occasion in cobwebs, hanging bats, graveyards and sunken pirate heads.

"We invite everyone to come and enjoy this pre-Halloween event," says development officer Lynda Johnson. "There will be lots of tricks, treats and family fun."

Visitors of all ages are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy Halloween-inspired crafts and games, including "Bats in the Belfry," "Brain Drain," and "Pick a Pumpkin."

Children can purchase a Halloween treat bag and enjoy safe trick-or-treating at special stations scattered around the aquarium and zoo. Zookeepers and aquarists will be on hand to provide up-close creepy animal encounters with snakes, toads and hissing cockroaches throughout the day.

Children can also take part in a costume parade, held at 11.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. There will also be a bouncy castle on site.

Zoo Boo visitors can buy refreshments from the zoo's "Peacock's Pantry" café, operated by The Upper Crust restaurant chain. Hot dogs and cold drinks will also be sold to benefit the Bermuda Zoological Society's Junior Volunteer Programme.

For more information, call 293-2727, ext. 130, or visit their website at www.bamz.org.