DALTON zoo faces another inspection in eight weeks time to check that improvements have been made.

The decision by Barrow Council’s licensing regulatory committee follows a hearing at the town hall yesterday.

The council carried out two inspections in January and May and said it identified a number of failures to follow licence conditions.

However, Stewart Lambert, chairman of Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, and its chief executive Karen Brewer, reassured the 10-member panel that many of the issues raised had been resolved and further improvements to comply with the licence are planned. Veterinary care was found to be ‘high’.

Mrs Brewer told the hearing: “We have come a long way. We have done a lot of things and as you can see from the report we have been very quick to respond to some of the things that have been a bit lacking.”

However, Dr Matthew Brash, the council’s professional veterinary advisor and a Secretary of State zoo inspector, said he was ‘deeply disappointed’ with record keeping. “In looking at the daily diaries there were big blanks in the months, I think, of November and December. My concern would be that there is going to be a proper culture of keeping real records in a meaningful way,” said Dr Brash.

Mr Lambert told the committee he was confident the zoo was ‘on track’ with record-keeping and said the operation was a ‘bit of a mess’ when they took over two years ago. “A heck of a lot needed doing when we took over, far more than you would imagine,” he said. “Rewiring, re-plumbing - everything needed sorting out - and we are getting through it now.”

In the next three weeks, the zoo must provide evidence that the level of ventilation in areas including the old giraffe house and lion house is suitable for the animals year-round.

Committee member Cllr Bill McEwan said the zoo appeared to have turned a corner. “I think they are on the right track - it’s up to us now to keep them on that right track,” said Cllr McEwan.

The inspection will check on the zoo’s commitment to an expensive new record-keeping system costing £8,400-a-year.

Committee chairman Cllr Tony Callister told company officials: “The wellbeing of animals and the safety of the public is always at the forefront of our mind, along with supporting the company.”