COME rain or shine, Chester Zoo has something for everyone this autumn.

Following one of the wettest summers on record, the 110-acre zoo has splashed out to make sure there is fun for all the family, even in a downpour.

A special rainy day route around the zoo has been planned out and a Wet Walk leaflet will be given to zoo visitors who brave the weather.

The leaflet also has a special voucher which gives a paying adult a free child place on a return visit.

Sharon Leeson, the zoo's Head of Marketing and Development, said: "Despite sometimes atrocious conditions over the summer, we have been lucky in that spells of bad weather have not deterred our visitors.

"However we appreciate that a rainy day visit might not be everybody's cup of tea and with autumn and winter around the corner, we thought we'd show visitors just what they can enjoy at the zoo on a miserable day.

"People who do feel like pulling on their anoraks and wellington boots will find there is as much to do at the zoo indoors as there is outdoors if they follow the route on the Wet Walk leaflet."

The 15-step zoo Wet Walk starts at the Elephants of the Asian Forest enclosure and takes visitors on a full trip of all the indoor enclosures, using the monorail to avoid any sudden showers. The route includes Monkey Islands, the Tropical Realm, Islands in Danger, aquarium and new Realm of the Red Ape orang-utan enclosure.

"There is a misconception that the zoo is only a place to visit when the sun shines but as this summer has proved, that's really not the case.

"Visitors will find there is plenty to do regardless of any grey skies overhead. Some of our animals - such as the Lar Gibbons - adore the rain and it's a great time to see and hear some of the animals at their most active," added Sharon.