COLCHESTER Zoo is preparing to welcome more visitors and re-open more of its attractions as rules on social distancing are relaxed this weekend.

The Maldon Road attraction re-opened its doors to visitors last month.

However, all its indoor exhibits had to remain closed and numbers of visitors were limited so the 2m social distancing rules could be maintained.

As of Saturday its indoor buildings will be opened with 1m distancing in place.

Visitors are being asked to wear face masks while in any of these areas.

Passholders will also be able to visit every day after 4pm without the need for a pre-booked time slot.

There will be a one-in-one-out system in operation and passholders have been warned they may have to queue.

Outdoor play areas will be re-opened with strict cleaning measures in place.

The Lost Madagascar Express Road Train will also be back up and running following the installation of perspex screens on the carriages.

The train will not run at full capacity and will not stop at our lemur walkthrough.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Zoo bosses have thanked the public for their continued support.

To date more than £335,000 has been raised by kind-hearted donors.

A spokesman said: “This amount of funding kept us being able to provide the high quality of care to our animals for just over two weeks whilst we were closed to visitors.

“We cannot find the words to be able to thank each and every person for their amazing support, we really are beyond grateful.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

“We’re not out of the woods yet, despite being open now our fight continues and so if you are able to continue to lend us a helping hand towards our survival please come along and enjoy a visit if you can.

“We will need to be very careful with our spending but also ensure we build reserves should the pandemic return we will be able to cope better.

“This is why your support is critical now more than ever.”