Colchester Zoo reopens to the public after months closed

The Maldon Road attraction has opened its doors again after lockdown rules are eased this morning.

Ticket sales for the zoo opened over the weekend and proving extremely popular.

At 11am on Saturday there were almost 8,000 people in the queue waiting to book tickets.

After reopening a number of new rules will be in place at the facility in order to keep visitors and staff safe.

Read more >>> Live updates as shops, pubs, gyms and Colchester zoo reopen

Visitors should take face coverings with them to wear whilst inside.

In advance of reopening, Colchester Zoo's managing director, Dr Dominque Tropeano OBE, wrote to supporters about the past 12 months.

Dr Tropeano said: "We have done the very best we could afford with our limited team and resources available to give you something new when we re-open with minor changes but we will continue firstly with small projects as it will be a while before we can afford big changes, but the good days will return and we will be back again.

"Re-opening will bring some issues, our daily number of visitors will be limited to comply with current restrictions, therefore you may be disappointed as we appreciate it will be difficult to get a ticket.

"We still need income from visitors so will share our daily attendance between paying visitors and Gold Passholders but we hope by May restrictions will be less severe so not long before normality will return and we will be able to again smile because we are doing a good job and delivering an excellent experience.

"I hope you will see and agree we are doing our best for everyone but at the same time we need to stay alive and positive building up some cash reserve just in case there is another twist around the corner."