TWO friends who are part way through a challenge to walk 200 miles to support Chester Zoo are thrilled that the attraction will soon reopen.

Hayley Shaw, 22, and Ffion Williams, 23, are halfway through their challenge to walk ten miles each day for ten days - a combined total of 200 miles - to support the zoo.

The zoo made the shock announcement this week that it faced an uncertain future as it was not allowed to reopen - unlike some other attractions and business in England.

But yesterday (Tuesday, June 9) it was announced that Chester Zoo, along with others in England, would be allowed to open from Monday with social distancing measures in place

Hayley, who worked at Chester Zoo for two years, said: "We're so happy and proud. We are still continuing the fundraiser, we've just finished our fifth walk!

"We've reached our first objective of trying to help get the zoo open so now for the next five days we plan to carry on fundraising to try and raise as much money as we can for them and continue helping."

They are planning to continue their walks to support the zoo.

Each of the pair's daily walks takes about three hours to complete. One day they walked in Chester, another they did a circuit of Flintshire villages, including Ewloe and Northop Hall, and another walk took them to Mold and Buckley.

Hayley, of Leeswood, added: "The weather has been kind to us so far!"

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ffion-williams-hayley-shaw