FREE tickets to Dudley Zoo are up for grabs as part of the town’s St George’s Day celebrations.

The zoo has teamed up with Dudley Council to host a fun-filled day of activities on Saturday April 23.

A limited number of tickets are now available that will give people free entry to the zoo from 3pm on the day.

Visitors will be able to join in the fun in the 11th century castle’s courtyard with activities including medieval re-enactors, children’s entertainers Flip and Dippy, face painting and crafts.

There will also be extra talks and feeds at the penguin and sea lion enclosures for families to enjoy.

History talks and ghost tours will be taking place throughout the afternoon and St George’s Day themed refreshments will be available from the Queen Mary restaurant.

During the morning, people will be able to come along to Dudley Market, where they will be able to meet creatures from the zoo’s popular animal encounters feature.

There will also be a free craft activity for children at Dudley Museum and Art Gallery from 10.30am to 12.30pm as well as a St George’s Day short film, which will be shown at 11am.

Dudley Library will also be hosting a craft activity from 10.30am to 11.30am.

Councillor Steve Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, said: “There’s so much to look forward to on St George’s Day with plenty going on in the town centre and up in the castle’s courtyard and beyond.

"It’s great to be working together and with only a limited number of tickets available to gain free admission into the attraction, I would urge people to book now and avoid disappointment.”

Derek Grove, zoo director, added: “We’re gearing up for the St George’s Day celebrations and are delighted to offer free entry to Dudley Zoological Gardens from 3pm until 5pm to enable as many people to attend as possible.

“The event will run until 7pm and there’ll be plenty of fun activities to keep all-ages entertained in the courtyard, underneath the St George’s flag which will be proudly flying atop the medieval castle.”

Tickets can now be booked online at www.dudleyzoo.org.uk or by calling 01384 215313.

A limited number of tickets will also be available for people to pick up from Dudley, Stourbridge, Brierley Hill and Halesowen libraries, Dudley Museum Art Gallery and Dudley Market Place on the day.