COLCHESTER Zoo has appealed for patience from the public as it gets its new online booking system right ahead of reopening.

The zoo will reopen for the first time in three months on Thursday.

All visitors will have to book in before visiting the zoo and must choose a specific date as well as time slot for their entry.

A spokesman for the zoo said a changes had been made to the new booking system at the request of customers.

He said: "We have taken all of your feedback on board and understand the difficulties passholders have faced booking tickets therefore we have adjusted the system.

"Passholders can now book tickets ten days in advance of their visit date and can purchase paying tickets within the same booking.

"We have also reduced paying customers access to tickets to being available ten days in advance instead of the previous 14 days.

"We are aware there are many thousands of you who wish to book, this is a new way of booking for us all so please bear with us.

"Your confirmation email will be sent when you have completed your transaction but there may be a delay in you receiving this as our system works to process each of your orders."

He added: "Our team are working extremely hard for you all to visit in the safest way possible so please be patient and be kind as we all learn the new normal."

To book, visit colchester-zoo.com.