CHESTER Zoo has been announced as the best zoo in the UK in an updated list courtesy of Tripadvisor.

The zoo thanked visitors via social media yesterday (Thursday, April 11) following the announcement, with the travel site updating its ‘Zoos and Aquariums’ list earlier this month (March 4).

A Chester Zoo spokesman said: “We’ve been named the BEST zoo in the UK, thanks to YOU!

“This news comes after receiving thousands of positive reviews on the travel website, Tripadvisor.

“Your support helps us to protect more than 500 of the world’s most threatened animal and plant species.

“As a conservation charity that means absolutely everything to us, so thank you.”

Chester Zoo has more than 16,700 reviews on Tripadvisor, with more than 11,000 of those ‘excellent’ and an average of four-and-a-half ‘bubbles’ out of a possible five.

The zoo houses more than 37,000 animals across its 128 acre site in Upton-by-Chester and is among the world’s leading conservation-based charities, with decades of experience and expertise helping to fight the extinction of many rare and endangered species.