Jobs created at Dudley Zoo after bumper visitor numbers

In total, 22 new members of staff – including 14 newly-created positions – have been employed at the Castle Hill attraction across different departments.

It comes as officials said visitor numbers have grown year-on-year by nine per cent - up from 265,000 in 2013 to 290,000 for the last 12 months.

Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock says the visitor boost comes with plans for further improvements at the zoo already in the pipeline.

Over the past year, major construction projects have come to fruition including the creation of a new shop and entrance and car park.

Work has also continued on the renovation of the zoo's amphitheatre-shaped Bear Ravine including repairs and cleaning the structure.

This also includes Kiosk One, a former sweet and rock sales outlet, which will become an information point to tell visitors about the restoration project.

Renovations have also seen the iconic zoo entrance restored back to its former glory.

The well known 'wave' entrance on Castle Hill has gone back to its original blue colour and lights have been put behind the 'zoo' letters to make them stand out at night.

Metal meshing has been re-painted and part of the roof, a series of S-shaped interlocking canopies, has been repaired.

Costs for the entrance and shop are £417,000, with £200,000 funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, and the remaining £217,000 paid from the zoo's own coffers.

The funds are part of a £1.15 million Heritage Lottery Fund contribution that have also helped towards the refurbishment of the 1958 chairlift and the launch of an apprenticeship scheme for concrete repair and conservation skills.

Mr Suddock said: "It is fantastic to see the business in such a good place and growing successfully.

"Visitor numbers have grown year-on-year. Last year's figure of 265,000 have increased to 290,000, which is a nine per cent rise, and indicates a solid growth."

He added growing visitor numbers and a demand for events and animal experiences, alongside restoration works, prompted expansion of the workforce, which now stands at 82 employees – excluding seasonal staff – and included a full restructure of the retail section to cover the new shop and entrance.

Mr Suddock added: "Further demands for our vintage chairlift and road train and also for birthday parties and special events required us to grow our core operations team, while animal sections welcomed four apprentice keepers and recruited replacement seniors to strengthen existing units and media and communications took on a third staff member.

"It's a success that has been hard won and follows many, many years of behind-the-scenes work and investment, particularly on the Tecton front, and we are delighted that through these actions Dudley Zoo is entering a new era.

"And there's so much more – projects for 2015 include the launch of Castle Creatures, featuring live animals within medieval walls, a birthday experience for young visitors, plus four newly-restored Tecton structures to explore – it truly is our time."

The £250,000 Castle Creatures attraction, which is due to open in Easter, will tell the story of the Earl of Dudley's family, explain the history of the castle and house a series of animal exhibits.