Chessington zoo fence criticised

Chessington World of Adventures said visitors were never at risk

A zoo has been told to improve its perimeter fencing by government inspectors to prevent people getting in and animals getting out.

Findings from the inspection of Chessington World of Adventures last July emerged on Thursday.

Some fencing in need of "attention and improvement" was behind the big cats' enclosure, the report said.

The zoo, on the Surrey/London border, said it addressed points immediately and visitors were never at risk.

The report, for Kingston council, called for a risk assessment of the whole of the perimeter of the theme park and zoo to ensure it could stop "the escape of animals and the entry of unauthorised persons".

And inspectors also criticised reptile house displays as "bland and non-stimulating", but praised staff motivation.

We constantly assess and maintain our entire perimeter fencing Chessington World of Adventures

A spokesman for Chessington said: "The health and safety of our guests is always our primary concern.

"It is important to note that the fencing referred to in the report was the perimeter fencing of the park and not the fencing relating to any of the enclosures.

"We constantly assess and maintain our entire perimeter fencing as we do with all aspects of the park and zoo."

He said the zoo had invested heavily in areas - including the improvement of the perimeter fencing around the big cats' enclosure.

The zoo was founded in 1931 in the grounds of a country house and later became a theme park.

It is owned by Merlin Entertainments Group.