Visitors to the newly reopened Port Lympne last week may not have been aware of the band of volunteers who had been getting their hands dirty to make it suitably ready.

Among them was eyelash beautician Vicky Mitford from Deal who similarly to the zoo was forced to close the doors of her Lash Lounge business mid March because of the pandemic.

At a loose end with how to fill her time, she responded to an advert on social media to volunteer at Port Lympne Safari Park in Hythe.

Having temporarily ditched the eyelash glue, the mum of two turned her hand to sanding down railings, jet washing, painting the entrance bridge and carrying out general maintenance ahead of the attraction's reopening last Monday.

And she's been back since to continue the work which is providing a welcome boost to the site which has spoken of its "unprecedented" financial crisis.

Ms Mitford, who is also a part time fitness instructor at Dover Leisure Centre and Anytime Fitness, said: "The boredom was setting in at home and I saw the link on Facebook and clicked on it straight away and applied.

"I knew they were short on funding and I love animals so I went for it.

"I didn't know what I'd be doing but it was mixture of sanding things down and painting. Other people were fixing the toilets, cleaning the lodges.

"At the end of the day they kindly took everyone around and you were able to go on safari too. You could see the rhinos, tigers, baboons.

"It's been great. I'm really glad I did it."

There has been an incentive behind Ms Mitford's seven days of eight hour labour.

She has earnt herself and three others a free overnight stay at the safari park - a highly rated experience enjoyed by the likes of celebrities including Sam Faiers of TOWIE fame and former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas.

She said: "It's something I've always wanted to do and will be able to take my girls."

Port Lympne has been approached for a comment.

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