Twycross Zoo geared up to welcome back visitors from Northamptonshire on Monday

Staff at Twycross Zoo say the Government giving them the green light to reopen has come just in time.

The 57-year-old attraction — which is hugely popular with visitors from Northamptonshire — is ready to open its doors to limited numbers on Monday (June 15) with an online booking system to spread out new arrivals

Twycross was left fighting for survival when a change in Whitehall policy earlier this month looked likely to keep it closed deep into the summer.

But last night's U-turn decreed UK zoos can now reopen safely from Monday (June 15) and Twycross can start taking much needed cash after three months relying on donations.

The zoo’s, CEO Dr Sharon Redrobe, said: “The last few months have been a real roller coaster.

"The support we have received has been humbling and left us yet more determined to fight every battle needed to ensure the survival of our 57-year old zoo.”

Twycross, which is also conservation charity, needs £500,000 A MONTH to look after 500 animals and more than 125 species and relies heavily on income through the gates.

But staff feared the zoo would have to close permanently after months of work to make the attraction safe for visitors was scuppered by the Government announcement.

The zoo launched a campaign and asked for its supporters to help save them from extinction — and pressure from these supporters appears to have helped change the Government's mind.

Dr Redrobe added: “This is an important day and one we will never forget.

"We are delighted to be able to reopen safely next week but this is only the first step in what will be a long and uncertain road to recovery.

"We need to continue to work hard now to secure vital Government funding for large zoos, to aid in the financial crisis we find ourselves in and protect our future.”

Twycross will open from Monday after 83 days closed — the longest period with no visitors in its 57-year history — but will be taking ONLINE BOOKINGS ONLY via its website with tight restrictions on numbers and allocated time slots for arrival to keep visitors spread out around the 100-acre site.