An animal lover who kept reptiles in his bedroom when he was a teenager is on the verge of realising his dream by opening his own zoo.

Former Gravesend Grammar School student Adam Hemsley, 22, is bidding to open a conservation centre to fulfil a life-long ambition of working as a zookeeper.

Adam, from Culverstone, is applying for a licence from Tonbridge and Malling council to open the Hemsley Conservation Centre in Fairseat.

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If successful, the centre could open this summer with an initial focus on reptiles and amphibians.

After leaving school, Adam enjoyed volunteering stints at London Zoo and Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire, before studying for a degree in animal management at Hadlow College.

Adam said: “This will be a dream come true. It has just happened at the right time when everything seemed to fall into place.

“I was looking for a site at various places and Fairseat garden centre replied to say they could have it there. I’m hoping to have it opened by the summer.

Video: Animal lover prepares to launch zoo - Jem Collins reports

“I’ve spent years working in pet shops and volunteering so there was a lot of working for nothing but ever since I could remember it’s always been about animals.

“If it goes well then I’d like to expand, I’d be interested in having mammals as well but at first it will primarily be amphibians and reptiles.”

Adam started keeping reptiles when he was a teenager, which then triggered a larger collection at home.

He said: “As a family we have always had an interest in animals. When I was still at school I kept reptiles in my room, which got a bit mad.

“Then when we had an extension built I kept them there until mum got sick of them.

“We decked out an old cabin with electrics in the garden and now I have tortoises, turtles, lizards, chameleons and frogs.

“My mum’s a teacher and my dad is a police sergeant, my sister has also gone in the police force so I’m the one that’s done something a bit different.

“They have backed me through this, though. My dad is helping me with the maintenance and mum is doing the accounts leaving me to focus on the animals.”

Adam has sent a letter of intention to the council and is waiting for a response before he submits an application.