by Sam Lennon

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is closed because it doesn't have enough grit to prevent visitors slipping on ice.

The park near Hythe closed at noon on Thursday and will remain shut over the weekend.

Animal director Adrian Harland said: "We don't have enough grit to keep our visitors safe.

"We cannot guarantee their safety walking around the park so we have closed until Sunday and will reassess the situation for Monday."

Mr Harland said that ironically the park had plenty of animals that were thriving in the big freeze such as Siberian tigers, snow leopards and wolves.

Mr Harland added: "They are so used to these conditions in the wild."