PONDEROSA Zoo in Heckmondwike could reopen as soon as next week after missing out on £100,000 in revenue over the last ten weeks of enforced closure due to coronavirus.

Despite an easing of the nationwide lockdown and many non-essential shops and businesses due to reopen next week, the animal attraction was initially among those that would have to remain closed.

Bosses at the popular zoo, which is home to more than 130 animals, from reindeer and meerkats to serval, have been calling for its supporters to urge their local MP to attend a vital parliamentary debate on the issue tomorrow.

But it emerged late last night that the Prime Minister is expected to announce that zoos and safari parks in England can reopen from June 15.

Ponderosa Zoo manager Eve Fern today said they were delighted and relieved over the latest news, but said they would need to wait for the full guidelines to be published before an exact reopening date could be given.

"We are still waiting for some additional signage to be delivered and there will be staff training on health and safety issues before we can reopen. It's not likely to be Monday, but hopefully shortly after that."

She explained that some of the staff that had been furloughed since the closure would return to work, but staff such as animal keepers had been working throughout.

"We have got over 130 animals which still need feeding and veterinary care and those bills still need paying.

"We've currently no income whatsoever so we are having to use any funds that we have saved to tide us over.

"We've set up a Go Fund Me appeal for donations which are being use to pay for the care of our animals while our doors are closed, including food, healthcare and animal enrichment.

"It's been very very hard, but we are so grateful to those that have donated."

She added that they were confident that measures they had already put in place would mean they could open safely, with perspex screens and hand sanitiser already installed.

They are also in the process of setting up online bookings, so that visitor numbers can be strictly controlled, and entry to the zoo will be in half-hourly slots to avoid any queues or build up in the car park.

The restaurant and play areas would remain closed for the time being, even in they were to open in the coming weeks, she added, and areas such as toilet facilities would be cleaned more regularly.

She added that there had initially been a suggestion that zoos could be allowed to reopen at the beginning of July, but nothing had been confirmed at this stage.

"We are getting everything in place so that once there is a date we are ready to reopen straight away."

Prior to the indication of a change in thhad beene Government's stance, the attraction has appealed on social media for help, saying: "We need you. On Thursday 11th June there will be a debate in parliament regarding how zoos can move forward through the covid-19 pandemic.

"As it stands, the government have decided that zoos must remain closed 'indefinitely'. We rely on ticket sales to feed our animals, pay for veterinary care, pay for animal feed and pay our zoo keepers. With no income for almost 3 months this is becoming increasingly difficult."

It adds: "We are a wide open space and have the ability to allow you to visit us safely where social distancing can be maintained and visitor numbers can be controlled. Please help us reopen as soon as possible. Animal welfare is our absolute priority and we need your help to maintain it."

The zoo, which was originally known as Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre, is also encouraging its supporters to buy an annual ticket now, ready for when they reopen, available at ponderosa-centre.co.uk.