'NO TREES, please' is the message from Chester Zoo, after a years-old donation appeal has gone viral.

Thousands upon thousands of people have been looking to do their bit to help Chester Zoo, which revealed last week it faced a real fight for its future due to the coronavirus lockdown, and Government legislation preventing it from reopening to the public.

After the launch of its Save Our Zoo fundraising appeal last Wednesday, an astonishing £2 million was raised in just over 72 hours.

People have been willing to do more to help the zoo at this uncertain time, with some choosing to adopt animals.

But it has been the circulation of a years-old appeal which has caused a bit of confusion.

The appeal called on tree surgeons and local farm owners to donate tree species including beech, elm, poplar, willow, ash, apple and sycamore, to feed the "over 21,000 hungry mouths" at the zoo.

A flyer for the appeal has been widely circulated on social media this past week.

But the zoo is urging people this help is no longer necessary, as that appeal ended some time ago.

The zoo's social media team is now messaging people circulating the flyer: "Where possible, please help us spread the word that no more trees are needed."

The best ways to help the zoo at present are:

People can also donate to any of the numerous fundraisers who are taking on challenges while collecting money for Chester Zoo. Let us know what you're doing in aid of the zoo and we'll feature as many as we can.