MARWELL Zoo will reopen its gates for the first time in three months next week.

Members will be welcomed back on Monday (June 29) in a special thank you for their support while the public reopening will take place on Friday (July 3).

The zoo will be strictly limiting numbers each day to ensure guests can keep a safe distance so all guests will need to book online before they arrive while payments at the zoo will be card only. Tickets will be released four days in advance.

Marwell will finally unveil its world exclusive summer brick adventure SUPERSIZED!, which is on display until November 1 and included with general admission.

Alongside Marwell’s hundreds of animals including exotic and endangered species, the zoo will showcase a unique collection of bright and colourful brick sculptures around its beautiful 140-acre park.

Guests will be ‘shrunk’ on arrival before meeting toy brick models SUPERSIZED to eye-popping proportions including a three-metre tarantula and a towering red spitting cobra.

James Cretney, Chief Executive of Marwell Zoo, said: “The light is very much at the end of the tunnel and we’re delighted to be opening our gates again to welcome back our guests after being closed for three months. When we do reopen and see those smiling faces, it’s going to be a tremendous privilege.

“Marwell is looking magnificent at the moment especially with the addition of our colourful SUPERSIZED! sculptures and our team has been working really hard to prepare the zoo so you can safely enjoy our animals and reconnect with nature in our 140 acre park.”

Safety measures will include two metre floor distance markings at enclosures and queues, new one-way routes on narrow paths, multiple hand sanitisation points, stringent cleaning and signage to inform visitors.

All indoor animal areas will remain closed and there will be no animal talks, touch tables or train services. The indoor cafes will not be open however there will be outdoor catering outlets where takeaway food and drink will be available as well as extra picnic areas.

The zoo, run by charity Marwell Wildlife, has so far raised more than £50,000 to help with its high running costs such as animal feed and bedding during closure.