Visitors to Colchester Zoo are being warned that parts of the site will be closed until next month. 

Bosses at the north Essex zoo have announced its Bears of the Rising Sun lower viewing section has restricted access until November 3.

They have also said that their Elephant Bushwalk will be closed from October 14.

The Woodland Hollow will also be closed to the public. 

The areas will be closed while the zoo gets ready for its annual Halloween events. 

Earlier this year the zoo announced plans to expand its park with the addition of a new animal enclosure as part of a multi-million pound investment.

The future visions include a new lion habitat as part of the expansion of the current Edge of Africa area - with plans to create a holistic African adventure. 

A spokesman for Colchester Zoo said: "This is a project that the zoo has been wanting to start for several years but following the effects of the pandemic, it has been delayed due to not being in a position for such an investment."

In the future the zoo hopes to become part of a breeding programme with an introduction of a new pride once the habitat is developed.