DUDLEY Zoo and Castle will be reopening this week as the national lockdown comes to an end.

The borough will go into tier three, with strict measures in place to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, but the zoo will re-open its doors to the public from Wednesday December 2.

Tickets are now on sale for December on the zoo's website dudleyzoo.org.uk.

A date and time slot will need to be selected in advance and visitors must keep to their chosen date and time.

Bookings will be restricted to a maximum of six tickets per booking.

For health and safety reasons, a maximum number of visitors we be permitted so tickets will be available on a first come first served basis.

Visitors will be asked to buy car park tokens online at the time of booking entry tickets to avoid the need for cash payments on the day.

There will be increased handwash facilities around the site.

All indoor animal exhibits, including The Reptile House, Castle Creatures, Lorikeet Lookout and Primate House, remain closed as per Government guidelines. The fun fair is also closed.

The Safari Gift Shop will be open from midday with social distancing measures in place and people will be asked to wear a face mask before entering the shop.

Face masks will also be required in Lemur Wood.

The Queen Mary Restaurant will be open for takeaway refreshments. Catering outlets are now taking card payments and cash payments.

Toilet facilities will be available.

Talks are currently not going ahead so as not to encourage large groups around the enclosures.

The Castle Courtyard is open, but the Castle keep will remain closed.

Zoo manager Matt Lewis said: "We’re thankful we’re being allowed to re-open again from Wednesday and are looking forward to welcoming guests back on site.

"Although there will be new limitations in place, including the closure of all indoor animal exhibits, being an outdoor attraction allows us to deliver an enjoyable day out for all the family with ample space for social distancing while seeing some of the rarest animals in the world.

"And we have plenty of Covid-safe procedures in place from earlier in the year, including hand sanitisers, a pre-booking system and a one-way route around the 40-acre site, which has proved extremely popular with visitors. 

"Throughout December we’re also offering 25 per cent off all full-priced adult and child admission and hope local residents will continue supporting us throughout the coming weeks."

Zoo bosses have previously told how the attraction in Castle Hill faces a bleak winter having received no generated income from ticket sales during both national lockdowns which have meant the zoo has had to shut its doors to the paying public while continuing to meet extensive animal care costs.

The zoo has been unable to access the governments £100m Zoo Animals Fund so an online donation page was set up on JustGiving.com (search DZ Animal Care Fund or click here) to help pull in a few pounds.

So far more than £40,000 has been raised but the struggle to raise funds to keep the zoo and its animals and dedicated keepers going continues.