Hospital dash in snowy weather for Clevedon mum-to-be

Staff at Noah's Ark zoo farm near Clevedon  have created a massive snowman family at the zoos entrance as a 'good luck' message for their head keeper as they nervously await news of the expected birth of his baby.

Head keeper Chris Wilkinson had to dig out the zoos 4x4 truck early this morning to take wife Clare to hospital in the snow as their baby is due any moment.

Back at the zoo, staff who managed to fight through blizzard conditions to work and are waiting nervously for news decided to build a huge snowman family, complete with a little snow child, as a show of 'good luck and best wishes' for Chris and Clare.

Chris Wilkinson is one of the zoos longest serving members of staff, having worked at the zoo since he was 14 years old. 

Now 27, Chris and wife Clare live in  remote cottage on site at the zoo to be close to the animals day and night.

Chris and Clare's baby was due last Thursday and it has been a waiting game for labour to begin, a stressful time in the cold conditions.

Staff will also be creating giant snow figures for the zoos rhino and tigers as fun enrichment later today, which the animals will be playing with this afternoon.