BBC Gladiators take on Chester Zoo's Great Zoo Games

Chester Zoo combined the excitement of a trip to the zoo with the adrenaline-fuelled thrill of competing against the BBC's very own Gladiators this week to showcase the incredible athletic talents of animals all around us.

On Tuesday Nitro and Giant - AKA former Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Areety and bodybuilder Jamie Christian - wowed the crowds as they challenged Chester's zookeepers to tests of speed, strength and agility inspired by the athletes of the animal kingdom

Nitro - AKA Harry Aikines-Areety - showing off his strength at the Great Zoo Games. (Image: Alec Doyle, Newsquest)

On Wednesday it was the turn of Dynamite and Bionic - AKA Emily Steel and Matty Campbell - to test their mettle, from cheetah speed challenges.

"It was amazing," said nine-year-old Nathan from Ellesmere Port, who went along on Tuesday with his grandparents. 

"We got to see Giant and Nitro lifting a huge 100kg weight above their heads - it was amazing but they told us that ants could lift even more weight than that compared to their size - so an ant Giant's size would be super-powerful!

Giant prepares for the obstacle race with his team of Chester zookeepers at the Great Zoo Games. (Image: Alec Doyle, Newsquest)

"We also saw Nitro and Giant each lead teams in a of zookeepers in an obstacle race. I was surprise that Giant's team won, although it was close.

"Finally there was a tug of war - again Nitro's team versus Giant's team. This time Nitro's team were the winners.

Nitro meets fans after competing in the Great Zoo Games at Chester Zoo. (Image: Alec Doyle, Newsquest)

"Afterwards we got to see the gladiators up close and I even got a high-five from Nitro."