BLACKPOOL Zoo could soon be moving into private hands if a new group of trustees can persuade the council that that is the best way forward.

The zoo management has released details of a new trust which they propose should take over control from the council.

In the report, which was being presented to the zoo sub-committee at Blackpool Borough Council on February 22, chairman of the proposed group of trustees, vet Michael Fielding, praised the council for the work they have put into the zoo over the past 30 years. But he also says he feels it is time it moved out of local authority control. "It has to be appreciated that no local authority can put the needs of animals in the zoo at a higher priority than the constituents it serves, whose needs are in many cases considerably greater." The idea behind the trust is to create an independent, non-profit making organisation which will "attempt to ensure the continued growth of the zoo while at the same time expand its role in the educational, cultural and social roles in the North West."

"We hope that the councillors and the authority will consider these proposals fairly and seriously in the interests of us all," said Mr Fielding.

The "core group" of seven trustees is made up from figures from the town and a well respected professor.

The other six are Blackpool magistrate Christine Fitton, town coroner Samuel Lee, Kevin Molloy, HSBC bank manager and a director of the Blackpool Challenge Partnership, Professor John Moverley, chief executive of Myerscough College, Philip Welsh, editor-in-chief of Blackpool Gazette and Herald publishing centre and the Archdeacon of Lancaster, the Ven Colin Williams.

Pictured here is Jitu the gorilla, looking forward to meeting his new bosses.