Zoo saved from closure

A Derbyshire zoo which has been running for 30 years has been saved from closure.

The owners of Grangewood Zoo in Netherseal believed they would have to shut after their insurance costs escalated.

They were told they would have to pay more than £3,000 because of the exotic animals on site.

The increase of more than 800% would have seen the attraction close and the business moved to the Mediterranean or the Far East.

Audrey Perkins from the zoo said: "They told us that the premium has gone up from £348 last year to £3,023 this year, and possibly it may go to £5,000 next year.

"This would have meant we wouldn't have been able to carry on because we just couldn't afford to pay the premium."

Another insurance company has come to the aid of the family-run business by offering them a reduced quote.