CHESTER Zoo has enjoyed a bumper summer for visitors despite washout weather.

Celebrations marked the middle of August after visitor figures for the year so far hit the 850,000 milestone. Remarkably the zoo has reached that target almost a month earlier than it did in the sun-drenched summer of 2006.

Head of marketing Sharon Leeson said: "The figures are especially encouraging given all the rain we have had this year.

"People continued to flock to the zoo whatever the weather which confirms what a great attraction we have here."

Last year the 850,000 landmark was not achieved until the middle of September, but this year the milestone was passed far earlier, in the middle of August.

Chester Zoo is already the most popular wildlife attraction in the UK, having welcomed in excess of a million visitors last year.

The end of 2006 figure - at 1,161,922 - was a 6.7 per cent increase on 2005, making it the country's fourth most visited tourist attraction where admission charges apply.

If the current trend continues then 2007 could be another record breaker. It started off at breakneck speed with the busiest January in the zoo's history with 37,000 visitors passing through the gates.

The new £3 million orang-utan exhibit, Realm of the Red Ape, officially opened by TV celebrity Nick Knowles in June, has proved another big draw, while a refurbishment of the main entrance, improving guest facilities has also reaped benefits.

For more information on visiting the zoo and its summer holiday programme, visit the website www.chesterzoo.org or telephone 01244 380280.