A GROUP of schoolchildren from Upton in Chester were given a day to remember when they joined The Duke of Westminster recently to visit Chester Zoo.

The trip was arranged by the Westminster Foundation in partnership with local charity Passion for Learning, which supports the enrichment, education and mental well-being of school age children and families to enable them to fulfil their potential.

The Westminster Foundation works closely with charities like Passion for Learning who provide long term help and direction to children, young people and their families.

The Duke of Westminster visited Chester Zoo with local schoolchildren. Picture: Victor Pennington

The Duke of Westminster visited Chester Zoo with local schoolchildren. Picture: Victor Pennington

The children took part in activities run by the zoo’s Conservation, Education and Engagement team, before being given their own guided tour of the 128-acre charity zoo.

Diane Clark, CEO of Passion for Learning who accompanied the children on the visit, said: “It was such a special day for the children. Despite growing up close by, most of the children haven’t visited the zoo before, so to have this opportunity to see their favourite animals and enjoy all the incredible experiences the zoo provides is just fantastic.

"We’re incredibly grateful to Chester Zoo for helping to arrange the day and to the Westminster Foundation for their ongoing support.”

Earlier in the day, The Duke of Westminster visited the zoo’s Monsoon Forest with CEO Jamie Christon to see how the UK’s largest indoor zoological building had been rebuilt and improved following a devastating fire in 2018.

The Westminster Foundation previously made a donation to the Monsoon Forest Fund to support the reconstruction and vital conservation efforts both at the zoo and in South East Asia.