A NEW guide book for Marwell Zoo designed by Sue Thorpe of Pebble Graphics, Romsey, has won first prize at an international zoo marketing conference held in Budapest.

Marwell was represented by head of education Rebecca Turner and marketing officer Heather Moore. Spiral-bound and user-friendly with photographs, information and map, the guide book is proving popular with visitors - sales have doubled since it became available. The content was compiled by Marwell's education department.

Sue, who is a partner in Peddle Graphics, said "We are very proud to have designed this guidebook, which incorporates reference material for all ages and abilities. It was an enjoyable project with an innovative design." She and her partner Nick Hatchley set up the business in Romsey about 18 months ago.

As well as winning the best guidebook award Marwell won second prize for the best TV commercial. It was screened for the first time last week, on Marwell's 31st birthday.

Devised and produced by Commercial Breaks, the commercial production division of Gradamedia, it used production facilities at Meridian's studios in Southampton and shows a child's scrapbook of a visit to Marwell Zoo and involved a one-day shoot there.

Marwell is delighted with both products. "Working with Pebble Graphics and with Commercial Breaks was a pleasure," said deputy director Lynne Stafford. "Both fully understood our target audience and concepts and achieved tremendous success in both cases. The guidebook has already proved its worth and we are sure that the commercial with its catchy music and images will be a great favourite."

The zoo is running a competition in conjunction with the new TV commercial and invites children of all ages to enter their own scrapbook following a visit to the zoo. The competition prizes will be sponsored by Pebble Graphics. Details are available from Marwell Zoo.