VISITORS from East Lancashire helped Blackpool Zoo record its best figures for the sixth year running.

The seaside venue, owned by Spanish firm Parque Reunidos, has continued to invest in new facilities and attractions, while also introducing new species.

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The zoo said the number of visitors, school visits, and memberships were also up 10 per cent compared to 2013, which led to a 10 per cent rise in revenue.

Spokesman Jude Rothwell said: “East Lancashire is a huge catchment areas for us and thousands of people and many schools make the journey down the M55 to see us.

“There has also been a year on year increase in the number of schools bringing classes on educational visits for the past six years and, as a result, we are in the final stages of extending our education department to meet demand.

“We look forward to welcoming many more this year.”

Blackpool Zoo has also enjoyed continued success in international breeding programmes for endangered animals.

Jude said: “The arrival of a whole host of gorgeous babies paved the way for Blackpool Zoo to be an unmissable experience spring and summer.

“Lots of different species have welcomed youngsters including baby meerkats, ring tailed lemurs, tree shrews, a cotton-top tamarin, colobus monkeys, capybara and a pileated gibbon.”

The zoo’s signature animals include elephants, giraffes, big cats, gorillas, orang-utans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos. It is open from 10am every day of the year, apart from Christmas Day.

Jude added: “The fact that we have seen an increase in visitor numbers every single year is testament to the hard work of all our staff here at Blackpool Zoo.

“Everyone, from staff on the car park and admissions to catering, zoo keepers and housekeeping, each play a vital role in visitor experience and they go out of their way to make sure people have a fabulous time whatever the weather.

“Since the start of the New Year this upward trend has continued. We have just recorded our busiest ever March and the great weather over Easter saw visitors flocking here.”