A POPULAR park petting zoo, Pets Corner, in Oswaldtwistle has been closed after a number of complaints about the welfare of animals being kept there, a senior councillor said.

Pets Corner in Rhyddings Park was closed down and various animals kept there, said to be a peacock, guinea pigs, hens, goats, and rabbits, were taken away by Bootstrap, which supports people with disabilities, on the council’s instructions.

Hyndburn Council’s parks boss Ken Moss said: “The decision to close the area was a difficult one, but sadly, the facilities at Pets Corner were really not up to modern day standards.

“I know from the views that have been expressed to me that there are many people who have fond memories of visiting the enclosure.

“I’m also aware, however, that there were a large number of people who were concerned about the welfare of the animals because of the conditions that they were in.

“This is no reflection at all on the excellent work that was done by the staff and volunteers at Bootstrap Enterprises who had cared for the animals for many years, but simply a reflection of the fact that the facility itself had become outdated.”

Cllr Moss added: “While this has not been an easy decision, the world moves on and the good news is that a bid of almost £1.5m has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for refurbishment of facilities at Rhyddings Park.

“The cabinet has allocated £50,000 towards the project from the capital programme and volunteers have undertaken work at no cost to the council to try to secure funding.”

One animal lover, who had contacted the council with her concerns about the animal’s welfare, said: “I’m very glad Pets Corner shut down.”

Bootstrap’s chief executive Elizabeth Taylor said: “I have talked to Hyndburn Borough Council who reassured me that they have no concerns with the quality of care provided by Bootstrap’s trained and qualified animal care staff at Rhyddings Park.

“They informed me that the decision to close was because of persistent complaints by a member of the public and because they had no funding for the site.

“Alongside the Friends of Rhyddings Park, Bootstrap provided animal care as a therapeutic activity for some of our Day Service clients, and the animal care was supervised by Bootstrap’s trained and qualified staff.

“The animals and fowl on site were regularly checked by Mearleys Vets and no concerns have ever been raised from the vet’s inspections about their welfare or the conditions the animals and fowl were kept in.

Oswaldtwistle councillor Peter Britcliffe said: “There have been various complaints in the last few month. Personally, I don’t comment on them. My angle is that I’m sad Pets Corner is going because it’s something generations of people have enjoyed in the past.

“I’m disappointed we are losing Pets Corner as other people will be.”

Pets Corner was refurbished in June 2006, after the Friends of Rhyddings Park took over management and maintenance from Hyndburn Council the year before.

The park petting zoo was the group’s first project.

Bootstrap said ducks from Pets Corner were moved to a pond in Oswaldtwistle, the chickens given to an allotment holder in the borough and the peacock and the rabbits rehomed.

The goats are being cared for on a small holding.