Chester Zoo is giving away tickets to local schools to help inspire a whole new generation of young conservationists.
The UK’s largest charity zoo is on a mission to help nature to “survive and thrive”.
And so, in a bid to do just that, has announced that it will once again be handing out tens of thousands of tickets to schoolchildren for completely free of charge, so that they can explore the zoo up close and learn all about the inspiring work the conservation charity does.
Chester Zoo‘s free ticket scheme has been running since 2017, and has already seen more than 100,000 children get to experience all the wonders the zoo has to offer.
We're giving away 35,000 FREE tickets to children in nurseries, schools and colleges across the UK! 🙌
We want to inspire a new generation of conservationists who can help us create a future where nature THRIVES. 🌍
With the hopes of empowering as many youngsters as possible, and sparking their passion for saving species once again, the zoo has now opened the scheme back up for the 2024/25 season – with a whopping 35,000 tickets available for schools, nurseries, and colleges to claim.
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Not only that, but the zoo has also decided to open the initiative up to the education providers that haven’t benefited from the scheme within the last three years.
Every school participating in the programme will receive a free resource pack to help maximise the educational impact of their zoo visit.
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Chester Zoo is giving away 35,000 tickets to children for free / Credit: Chester
“Every one of us is a custodian of our natural world,” commented Charlotte Smith, who is the Director of Conservation Education and Engagement at Chester Zoo, “But it’s the next generation of conservationists who are fundamentally important to overcoming the environmental and biodiversity challenges our planet is facing.
“They are inspiring and they give us hope, which is why we’re so keen to connect them with the awe and wonder of nature and help to nurture their passion and desire to make a difference.
“It’s proven that a visit to the zoo can significantly enhance people’s understanding of the huge efforts that go into conserving highly threatened species, while also bringing physical and mental health benefits.
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“That’s why we particularly want to reach youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds and ensure they are the primary beneficiaries of the initiative, so we can provide them with the skills and know-how to go on and make a real, positive difference to wildlife in their everyday lives.”
The zoo is hoping to help inspire a whole new generation of young conservationists / Credit: Chester Zoo
Applications for Chester Zoo’s Free School Visits programme are now open, with free visits able to take place between Friday 1 November 2024 – Friday 28 February 2025, and any forms that are incomplete or received after the deadline date of Friday 22 March 2024 are unable to be processed.
The scheme is open exclusively for nurseries, schools, and college groups.
Places are open to schools who haven’t taken advantage of the scheme in the last four academic years, and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so the zoo is advising that people complete and submit the application form at “your earliest opportunity” to make sure they don’t miss out.
There’s a maximum capacity of bookings per day to both avoid overcrowding, and make sure every visitor is able to enjoy a safe and world class experience.
Leigh Leopards star Tesi Niu accused of abuse by partner
Danny Jones
Leigh Leopards star Tesi Niu has been accused of physical and mental abuse by a person purporting to be his partner.
The allegations were made on Niu’s own Instagram, who has seemingly commandeered the account to share claims across social media along with various photos, which are yet to be fully substantiated.
An Australian-born former NRL athlete and Tongan international, Tesi Niu, has gone on to become an important first-team squad member for the Greater Manchester rugby club and has been a popular personality among the supporters.
With that in mind, the alleged abuse is one that has deeply troubled the fan base.
Accusations of alleged physical abuse have been made against Leigh Leopards centre Tesi Niu by his partner.
As you can see in the screenshots originally posted on Niu’s own channel and since reshared online, the individual who names herself as Kiani alleges that the 24-year-old rugby league player assaulted her on Christmas Day 2025 before going out and getting drunk.
In addition to sharing pictures of various bruises around her neck, shoulders and arms, the woman also writes that he took her phone and money to prevent her from leaving, as well as detailing that she is now pregnant with their third child.
Kiana Smith has been his partner for more than half a decade.
Circulating online over the weekend (4-5 January 2026), a full investigation into the claims is now thought to be underway.
Neither Tesi Niu’s representation nor Leigh Leopards have yet come out to comment on the allegations, but the Rugby Football League (RFL) have shared an official update regarding the situation.
You can see the rest of the IG stories down below.
As per a statement supplied to News.com.au, the English governing body said: “The RFL are aware of the social media posts. We will not be making further comment at this time.”
Anyone looking to report abusive behaviour can call the Greater Domestic Abuse Helpline, Monday to Friday from 10am-4pm, on 0800 254 0909.
Family pay tribute to ‘special boy’ who died after being hit by car while crossing road in Burnage
Emily Sergeant
The family of a teenage boy who died after being hit by a car while crossing a road in Burnage have paid a touching tribute to him.
At around 6:40pm this past Friday (2 January), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called out to reports of a collision in the Burnage area of Manchester, where the driver of a Seat Ibiza was travelling down Kingsway and collided with a pedestrian who was walking across the road.
The pedestrian – a boy aged 16, who has since been named as Alfie Moran – suffered serious injuries and was rushed hospital.
However, despite the best efforts of all emergency services involved, Alfie sadly passed away.
In a heartbreaking tribute to her son, Alfie’s mum said: “My Alfie was always our special boy with the biggest heart. Everyone who knew him would always tell me that I had the best boy, he knew how very proud I was of him.
#TRIBUTE | Family of a 'special boy who had the biggest heart' pay tribute to him following a fatal road traffic collision on Kingsway in Burnage on Friday 2 January.
Alfie Moran (16) suffered fatal injuries after a driver collided with him.
— Fallowfield, Withington, Levenshulme Police (GMP) (@GMPFallowfield) January 4, 2026
“He was the best friend to everyone, losing him has left our family broken. We had so much planned this year, he loved gaming and motorbikes and had already started saving up to buy his first bike.
“I will forever be lost without him.”
Officers from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are appealing for information and witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Manchester.
As a result of the collision, an 18-year-old man was arrested and has since been released on bail whilst enquiries are ongoing, and now officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are appealing for information and witnesses to help with their investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting log 2622 of 02/01/2026.
Information can also be shared using the ‘report’ tool or LiveChat function on GMP’s website, or you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
29th February 2024 
