One of the nation’s favourite stories is set to escape from its pages and into Whipsnade Zoo this May for an interactive adventure.

Celebrations for the 35th anniversary of Rod Campbell’s Dear Zoo are underway at Whipsnade for May half term. In partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books, Whipsnade will be hosting a self-guided adventure trail, following the same sequence as Dear Zoo with introductions to the animals that inspired the legendary story.

Children will be able to follow the popular book’s characters on a fun-packed journey, collecting stamps and taking part in exciting activities at each stop – before settling down for a cosy Dear Zoo reading session at the storytelling hub.

Events manager Victoria Sage said: “For 35 years, Campbell’s tale of a child who writes to the zoo to send them a pet has enthralled children and now kids and adults alike have the chance to delve beyond the pages here at Whipsnade.”