A Norfolk zoo has been awarded a new licence by council officers after passing an inspection with flying colours.

Breckland officials praised Banham Zoo, near Diss, for its outstanding work in educating people about biodiversity as well as its high standards of animal care.

Zoos are required to obtain a new licence every four years by law.

Council inspections look at how the site is suitable for the animals kept there, the standard of animal care and the safety of enclosures for the animals and visitors.

They also review how the site helps educate people and what steps are being taken by the site owners to stop pests getting into the zoo.

Helen Crane, Breckland Council's executive member for environmental health, licensing and sustainability, said: "I would like to congratulate the staff and volunteers at Banham Zoological Gardens for their exceptional animal welfare and conservation work which I know is helping to inspire the next generation of conservationists within the community."

Set in 50 acres of idyllic Norfolk countryside the zoo, which is run by the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), is a national conservation hub committed to preserving wild futures, engaging the public, sustaining the environment, and ultimately inspiring the next generation of leaders within conservation.

Its chief executive Claudia Roberts said: "The inspection is rightly a very thorough process and we are delighted to have received such great feedback from Breckland Council.

"It's been a difficult time for the charity recently, first coping with the financial pressures of covid closures and more recently the financial pressures of the energy and cost of living crisis.

"However, we are very thankful for the Government support from the Covid Zoo Animal Fund, ongoing support from Breckland Council, and of course support from all the guests who visit us throughout the year to see the animals and learn about them and their habitats."