The owner of two East Anglian zoos is to transfer them to a newly created charitable trust which he hopes will secure their future for generations to come.

Banham Zoo, near Attleborough, and Africa Alive, near Lowestoft, are set to undergo one of the biggest changes in their history with plans to move them into the management of a newly formed Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA).

Visitors to the zoos, says managing director Martin Goymour, who founded Banham Zoo almost 45 years ago, will enjoy reduced ticket prices under plans to transfer the attraction to a charitable trust.

And he said the move, which would secure the future of both zoos, would be a 'win-win'' situation for visitors, staff and the animals.

He said no redundancies nor loss of staff were envisaged and that the move would enable the zoos to undertake more educational and conservation work as a zoological society.

'As far as animal care is involved, we only want the best for the animals and that has driven my passion over the years.

'I am getting to a stage where I want to protect the long-term future for both parks.

'This is the best way forward to allow them to have a secure future. It is a legacy for the care and conservation of animals. That will continue and they are fantastic resources in Norfolk and Suffolk and for the people of Norfolk and Suffolk and visitors to Norfolk and Suffolk.

'I hope the quality and standards will be maintained,' he said.

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