A popular family destination has been told to close part of its animal attraction, just as the schools break up for the summer holidays.

Medway Council has ordered Andy and Kelly Cowell of The Fenn Bell Inn to rope off the monkey area of the zoo in the pub's garden.

The couple moved into the 17th century pub in St Mary Hoo in December last year and have gradually turned the site into a home for rescued animals, much to the delight of children and adults alike.

They have been working with Medway Council and hoped to obtain their zoo licence by spring next year. But yesterday they were told they would have to put a rope around the cages to stop visitors seeing the monkeys.

The move is only temporary until the licence is granted but Mr Cowell is concerned about the impact this will have on their business.

Speaking this morning he said: "Although I'm not happy about it, I do accept that that's what they need to do and we are still happy that the council are working with us to work it out.

"It's just a shame they've decided that this is when they're going to do it, right at the start of the school holidays."

The 46-year-old landlord fears that the move will half the trade they were expecting during the summer, and could lead to job losses.

More than 500 people have already signed a petition on change.org in support of the zoo.

Video: KMTV's report of the zoo when it opened

Mr Cowell used to take in unwanted animals at his farm in Stoke Road and had 200 animals. His neighbours used to knock on the door and ask to see them, so when his wife, Kelly, said they couldn’t have any more he decided to find somewhere where people could come and visit.

When they found out that the Fenn Bell Inn was shutting down, Mr Cowell wrote to Shepherd Neame and they loved the idea.

They have marmosets, squirrel monkeys, a coati, a south American racoon, kunekune pigs, great grey owls, geese, chickens and they are hoping to move some macaws in soon.

Andy has made all the cages for the animals himself and the Royal Engineers recently helped cut down trees to clear another field for the animals.

A Medway Council spokesman said: “We are waiting for the landlord of the pub to submit an application for a zoo license and have been working with him to ensure this happens but we understand he is still in the process of formally applying.”