THE boss of Dalton's zoo has said he hopes peace and love will prevail in what he says may be his "last Christmas". 

David Gill, the founder of South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton, made the comments on his own Facebook profile, which can be viewed by members of the public. 

In the post, which he published at around 11.30pm last night, Mr Gill wrote: "It is going to be a great Christmas this year for the first time ever having all my 6 children and 3 grandchildren together at our home along with all my brothers and sisters. This may be my last Christmas, so let love, peace and goodwill flow through us all. I hope that 2016 will bring both me and my children the time and space to share as much as possible."

Earlier this week, Mr Gill described the stress of the saga involving Barrow Borough Council's health and safety rulings against the zoo. 

Yesterday, the council ruled that all public walkways must be closed with immediate effect due to concerns about safety. In response, the zoo said it would close on January 9 and has criticised the council. 

On Wednesday, the night before the meeting was due to take place, Mr Gill wrote on Facebook: "So yesterday evening and today have been so staggeringly stressful and made me so ill today. If ever I needed to listen to my body it was today.... there is nothing more clear to me that retirement is the only answer to keep me alive!"

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