The zoo was founded by Brian and Shirley Curran and originally operated as an attraction within their garden centre on the same site.

Five Sisters Zoo originally began as an attraction in the garden centre owned by founders Brian and Shirley Curran.

Notable additions to the zoo include a £150,000 fundraising appeal in 2015 to create a habitat for four male lions rescued from a Belgian circus.

Animals of 48 species died in this fire, including almost all the insects, snakes, lizards and tortoises housed in the building as well as 11 meerkats and an otter.

The construction of the two-acre lion enclosure, featuring rock, a waterfall, pool and platform areas and a large, heated indoor den was supported by a £150,000 funding appeal.