ANIMALS at a zoo in South Woodham Ferrers received a late festive treat donated by shoppers in Chelmsford.

Recycled Christmas trees were brought to Tropical Wings after staff from the Meadows Shopping Centre ran a service taking in the plants.

After the trees were collected by Great Dunmow-based firm Walker Tree Care on behalf of the centre, they were then either shredded or kept whole and brought to the zoo.

Once delivered the trees were given to the lemur, meerkat and parrot enclosures to be used as bedding and for the animals to play around with.