A FLINTSHIRE mum is starting a 'save our zoo' poster campaign as Chester Zoo fights for its future amid new Government regulations.

It follows news on Wednesday that Chester Zoo is facing "indefinite" closure after Government legislation on the easing of the lockdown changed to include zoos and other attractions as those not allowed to reopen.

This is despite the fact that Chester Zoo says it is ready to open safely - with strict social distancing and hygiene measures to be in place.

And shocked by the news that the zoo is "very much fighting for its future", Penyffordd mum Sarah Thompson has launched a poster campaign to 'save our zoo'.

Sarah, alongside her children Charlie, 6, and Chloe, 3, designed their own 'handimal' poster whereby they paint animals from their hand prints.

And she wants local families to design their own 'handimal' posters and place them in their front window much the same as in the rainbow campaign in support of the NHS.

The Leader:

She said: "A lot of us have been left saddened by the news that Chester Zoo risks closure unless vital funding is reached.

"We have been left dumbfounded that Alton Towers can open, but the zoo with all its outdoor enclosures and space can’t.

"I’ve had an idea - whilst we are not all in a position to adopt animals, or donate sums of money - many of us are already continuing to pay our membership fees to help, but maybe we could ask our children to paint 'handimals' and use them to create a 'save our zoo' poster campaign to display in our windows.

"The idea may catch on to surrounding villages/towns, just like the NHS rainbows campaign and get the publicity our zoo deserves to stay open.

"Their conservation work is incredible - we must keep our zoo open."

And Sarah says she's been contacted by many local mums who are going to join in, as well as local nurseries including Deeside, who want to use the idea for all zoos - including Welsh mountain zoo and Greenacres Animal Park in Deeside.