Chester Zoo has played host to two Chinese students from the prestigious Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Feng Rui Xi and Xu Ping spent three weeks at the zoo studying its world respected educational programmes and seeing first hand how it delivers vital conservation messages.

The two spent time shadowing the zoo's education officers and exhibition presenters, as well as learning a little more about the British way of life.

At home in China their studies have included projects on animal welfare, behaviour and habitat preservation.

Maggie Esson, of the zoo's educational division, said: "We were delighted to welcome visitors from China, the native terrain of such a fascinating variety of wildlife. Their objective was to learn as much as possible about our education programmes and the way we put important conservation messages across in the modern world. We were also able to let them participate in some teaching sessions.

"In addition they showed keen interest in British culture and particularly the way in which we appreciate nature and our rural environment."

During the visit the duo were able to enjoy the zoo's popular outdoor summer theatre show, The Family Tree, proving a big hit over the school holidays.

Two performances a day take children on an imaginative journey to magical Madagascar, guided by costumed characters, Mandrita the tree boa and Maki the ring-tailed lemur.

The show is colourful and fun, but also highlights the need to preserve the flora and fauna of the African island which is home to five per cent of the world's animal and plant species, now increasingly threatened by pollution, habitat loss and hunting.

The summer theatre is staged daily until September 2, at noon, 1pm and 2pm.

For more information about the zoo opening times or the summer programme visit the website www.chesterzoo.org or call 01244 380280.