If you fancy a festive season with a difference this year, why not celebrate Christmas at the zoo?

Fenn Bell Conservation Project in Hoo is hosting its Santa Safari for the sixth year running and has built a new grotto.

Owner Andy Cowell said: "It is always popular and is something a bit different. We have been working on it flat out for around four weeks.

"We have a new grotto so it will be the first time anyone will be seeing it. It is a very busy time for us and a really good opportunity for us over the Christmas period.

"It is an important event as it helps to keep the animals warm and fed during the winter."

He said the money from the grotto will help towards the increased electricity bills during the colder months as the zoo – whose regular visitors include Harry Potter star Michael Gambon – has to keep heaters and other appliances on for longer for the animals.

Despite being open all year round, he said fewer people usually visit the zoo in Fenn Street during the winter due to the colder weather conditions so these events help to keep it going.

"It is an expensive time of year for us and running this at Christmas helps get us over that little struggle," he added.

Guests will be welcomed by elves and sat in the naughty or nice chair to see how they have behaved this year.

They will then be taken on the safari truck around the zoo to see the animals and taken through into the winter wonderland scene before meeting Father Christmas.

The grotto opens on Saturday and runs throughout December until Christmas Eve.

Tickets cost £12 for children and £9 for adults and time slots must be pre-booked. You can find out more information here.

In previous years, 8,000 people have visited during the festive period and they have sold around 85% of tickets so far.