Wildlife parks in Cumbria are set to reopen following an announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The Government has announced that England’s zoos and safari parks are set to reopen following a relaxation of the coronavirus lockdown.

Outdoor attractions including zoos and drive-in cinemas are the next businesses set to reopen in the Government’s phased return to normality. Wildlife and safari parks as well as outdoor cinemas will be allowed to open their doors from Monday, subject to the two-metre rule.

Zoos set to return after the restriction is lifted include The Lake District Wildlife Park near Bassenthwaite and The Lakeland Wildlife Oasis in the south of the county.

However, The Wildlife Oasis based in Milthorpe is set to reopen at a later date. Park manager at The Lake District Wildlife Park, Richard Robinson said the Prime Minister’s announcement brought “a sigh of relief” amongst the staff.

He said: “We originally thought it would be July, it has moved things forward but we’re working hard to get things in place so that we can reopen to some extent on Monday."

The wildlife park has recently joined UK zoos in speaking-out about the financial hardship of the pandemic, opening an Amazon wishlist so that generous members of the public could purchase much-needed supplies for them whilst income was halted.

Mr Robinson said: “As a business relying completely on tourism, not having that has been detrimental.”

He added that for now the park would reopen without some elements of the experience.

Measures will be put in place to ensure social distancing is observed.

“There is just a different way of operating now but our aim is that people come with their families and have a nice day, getting away from the same four walls."

Mr Robinson told The News and Star: “The way we’re looking at operating the park is encouraging people to be responsible, we’re all well practised at this now."

He added that while the zoo has been closed, the staff and management have spent time planning their daily routines with social distancing in mind. The park staff will now put the plans into practice, albeit more quickly than they had previously expected.

Mr Robinson said: “We have customers and staff to look after, there will be a lot of indications of how we expect people to behave.”

Although some staff had to be put on furlough during lockdown, zoo keepers have been working around the clock “making sure the animals are healthy and happy".