Colchester Zoo is promising new attractions for visitors this year.

From next month kids will be able to visit the new safari play area with areas specially designed for wheechair access.

The new lemur walkthrough, Lost Madagascar, is also due to be open by Easter on the site of the old white tiger enclosure.

Zoological Director, Anthony Tropeano, said: “It is very much part of our plans that 2012 will see Colchester Zoo continue to expand and develop to provide a first class experience for all our visitors.

“This is only possible with the fantastic support of the community through all their visits and the funds we receive from our retail and catering sales as we receive no other funding.

“In addition to the huge children’s adventure play area and the lemur walkthrough enclosure which are opening soon; we also hope to move our sun bears to their new enclosure by the end of the year.”

In 2011 more than 745,000 visits were made to Colchester Zoo.

The site became the only UK zoo to house a pair of spotted hyena and saw the birth of three Cheetah cubs who were introduced to the public in October.

The zoo’s charity Action for the Wild also donated £180,000 to conservation projects around the world.