A CHIRK hotel has joined efforts to save Chester Zoo by collecting donations for the popular tourist attraction.

The Hand Hotel, in Church Street, is allowing customers to add voluntary donations to their food orders, which will be passed on to the zoo.

An appeal for funds was launched to save Chester Zoo last week, and so far it has received almost £2 million.

Paul Rogers, manager at the Hand Hotel, believes the zoo would be irreplaceable if it was to close.

He said: “When it comes to places like Chester Zoo, if it was to go, it would be irreplaceable.

“Something like that will never ever come back in our lifetime if it goes, and whatever we can do in the area to help, it would help tremendously.

“To be honest, most people around here have been there and know how good it is, it’s one of the best zoos in the country, if not, Europe.

“So with that in mind, it wants helping and wants saving. If everyone can help to raise a bit, then all the better.”

The zoo has been closed for nearly three months, and remains closed in line with current lockdown restrictions.

Paul said the hotel’s appeal to help the zoo has been well-received by customers so far.

“We have a few members of staff who have worked there in the past, so it’s very close to their hearts,” he explained.

“Obviously, people are a bit dismayed by the predicament the zoo is in, and we’re all trying to work together and help one another during this difficult time, so we thought it would be a good idea to try helping them a little bit if we can.

“To be honest, since we put it out there, a lot of people have phoned up and donated while ordering food, and we’ve even had donations from people who haven’t ordered food.

“All in all, it might not amount to thousands and thousands of pounds, but it might amount to something.

“We’ve been in touch with the zoo to make sure we can do this, and the response has been good up to now.”

If you would like to donate to the Hand Hotel’s appeal on behalf of Chester Zoo, call 01691 773472.