STAFF at Marwell Zoo, which is threatened with closure, are supporting voluntary pay cuts to keep the park in business, according to a senior keeper.

Bosses have asked the 100 employees at the park to give up 20 per cent of their wages while they battle a closure crisis, brought on by the foot-and-mouth disease.

Head keeper Bill Hall believes staff will give whatever they can to ensure Marwell stays afloat, while paying customers are turned away.

Mr Hall said: "It is a tough situation but I live on site, which makes it easier for me to say yes, as it will safeguard the park and my job. However, younger people with mortgages or rents to pay will find it very hard. "Like all animal jobs, zoo keeping is not very well paid and every penny counts.

"But given the opportunity, I am sure that every single member of staff will give as much as they can.

"You do not find people coming to work at Marwell for the money, people do it because it truly is a vocation and something they really want to do. But then again, you have to live."

Marwell costs £7,500 a day to run and with an emergency budget of only £500,000, savings have to be made if the park is to survive.

Mr Hall added: "We all work here and if the place does not exist then there is no work for anyone. The pay cut is an individual thing and circumstances may have to be taken into account."

Meanwhile, New Forest Show bosses are delaying any decision on whether to go ahead with this year's show or cancel it in the face of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis.

Event organiser Justin Lance said: "We have discussed this matter at length and have agreed that the show will not be cancelled in the short term.

"Should this crisis persist until the end of June, then this decision will be reviewed. In the meantime, I would like to confirm it is all systems go for an excellent event."

Mr Lance also pointed out that the show society "lent its voice" to calls to Hampshire County Council to put disinfectant mats on all roads leading into the Forest, and praised the council for its swift action.

With its cattle, horse and pony, sheep and goat sections, the show attracts livestock from throughout the South of England and many from further afield.

It also pulls in attendances totalling around 100,000 over its three days, and they include many holidaymakers from all parts of the UK and some from abroad.