Alligator pool parties for children

A Florida man is offering entertainment with a difference for children's parties - swimming with alligators.

For £100, Bob Barrett, from Tampa Bay, takes an alligator to people's backyard pools to swim with their children.

"It just took off like wildfire," he told the Tampa Bay Times. "Everybody loves having the gator pool parties."

Mr Barrett, who runs the local Alligator Attraction, came up with the idea during the summer when business was slow.

"If you're nine, ten or 11 years old, you've already had the 'jumparoo' house, the bounce house, you've had the pizza party, you've had the clown party," he said.

"You get to have a pool party with a gator. It's a very popular party."

Mr Barrett tapes the alligators' mouths shut before the parties which he insists are safe.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed he isn't doing anything illegal, but added: "We will say that this is not something that we encourage."