A family who were handed £26,000 in benefits in one go for a TV show have used the money to turn their home into a zoo.
Dad-of-four Scott Gavin form Kirkby, Merseyside, took part in Channel 5's Big Benefits Handout and now runs his own travelling animal show business, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Among his throng of wildlife is 12ft Burmese python, five foot long iguanas, horn snakes, giant tarantulas, giant millipedes and snails and a skink.
Credit: Liverpool Echo
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Scott, 31, says the money handed to them has paid dividends.
Scott hosts parties for childrens' birthdays, Holy Communions, and christenings with his business Party Central Entertainments Ltd.
All the animals are kept at the house, along with his wife Leanne, 26, and their four children.
Credit: Liverpool Echo
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While most of the reptiles are kept indoors in large tanks, the other animals live in an outdoor aviary.
Before becoming a dole Ace Ventura, Scott worked as a qualified electrician. He abandoned that to look after his son Robert who has behavioural problems.
He said: "Out of the three families on the show, we went for it straight away, and knew what we were going to do.
"The business is flying now - I've got nine members of staff.
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"I've got people dumping animals on my doorstep now.
Credit: Liverpool Echo
"Once I went out onto the porch and felt something hit my leg - it was a boa constrictor.
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"Two weeks ago I found two lizards outside my door."
He added: "The show put me in a position to change my life completely.
"I couldn't have hoped for it to be any better.
"I wake up every day happy.
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"If I want to go on holiday or buy my wife a new pair of shoes, I can do."
Words by Josh Teal
Featured image: Liverpool Echo
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