ONE family had a million reasons to celebrate when they visited Chester Zoo.

Dad Andrew Hawkins was overjoyed when son Mark, became the one millionth visitor to pass through the zoo gates this year.

Characters from this year's forthcoming zoo Frost Fair were on hand to welcome the family and present Mark, from Ormskirk, Lancashire, with a cuddly toy and animal adoption.

The milestone also caused celebrations for the zoo as the number of visitors reached the millionth visitor mark a month earlier than last year.

Sharon Leeson, Head of Marketing and Development, said: "We have had another incredible year at Chester Zoo and our visitor numbers have been phenomenal with some months breaking zoo records. Last year, it was October before we reached the million visitor mark - this year's fantastic figures are testimony to the zoo's success as a tourist attraction.

"People travel from all over the country to visit the zoo, literally from far and wide. That is in addition to the fantastic numbers of local people who visit us time after time.

"We work hard to make each visit different and as ever there has been a tremendous amount for people to see and do at the zoo this year including the opening of the new Realm of the Red Ape orang-utan enclosure."

After a successful summer, the zoo now has its sights set on this year's Frost Fair which runs from November 16 to January 13.

Frost Fair this year will be bigger and better with entertainment, animation, a spectacular ice rink twice the size of last year's rink, a giant prize-giving Snow Cannon, and an exciting Santa's Lapland Journey.

For more details visit www.chesterzoo.org