TWO zoo keepers have written a children's book to raise funds for their much loved attraction.

Welsh Mountain Zoo keepers Amy Ridgway and Tom Wootton have published 'A Dream Day at the Zoo'.

Born out of a desire to support the zoo in the face of escalating financial pressures during the pandemic, 90 per cent of the profits from the sale of this book will go directly to the zoo. The other 10 per cent is going to The Vulture Conservation Foundation.

The story focuses on a young girl named Alice, a keen animal lover.

On a seemingly normal visit, Alice begins to daydream, and her adventure begins as she’s called to help keepers trace an escaped animal by following the clues and trying to work out what species the animal is.

Tom said: "During the first lockdown the zoo was really struggling. We didn’t know how long it was going to last or even how long we would be able to keep going. We were incredibly grateful for the community coming together and helping the zoo through donations, adoptions and many other means.

"Amy remembered a book from when she was a little girl which her grandparents had bought her.

"The book revolved around Amy in a zoo setting and she loved it.

"We wanted to give something back and so the idea to write this story was born."

The book has plenty of child-friendly facts allowing readers to learn something new about the animals that live at the zoo.

Tom added: “We wrote the book and drafted basic illustrations, almost like a story-board to pitch the book to our directors.

"These illustrations were then sent over to Catherine Jackman and she elevated them beautifully. The response so far has been amazing – the first batch has sold out and we're already on our second reprint."

The book is on sale at the zoo shop at a £6 or £10 with a cute chimp soft toy. Alternatively call 01492 532938 order.