A MELIDEN man is calling on families across North Wales to not only save the summer but a beloved North Wales attraction too.

Thomas Ward has set up ‘The Big North Wales Camp-Out’ for Friday, July 31 to raise money for the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay.

Conceived as a way to stop his family's annual camping reunion being a write off, Mr Ward has extended the invite to families across North Wales to set up their tents in their back gardens and raise money.

Mr Ward said: "Every year, about 30 members of my family come together from everywhere meet together throughout Wales and England.

“When I set up the event, it was before the holiday camps reopened and even though they're open now, we're waiting for things to fully get back to normal first.

"So I thought well, well what about camping in our garden,. and what about asking other people to do the same and help support the zoo?"

Like all camp sites there is a small fee of £4.50 charged per night, with all money raised will be going to Welsh Mountain Zoo. The event also has a Facebook group, where families taking part are able to share images of their camping spot.

Alongside setting up this event, Mr Ward - who will be camping with his daughters Paige, 13, Faith, 12, and nine year old Fearne - has been busy helping set up a crowdfunding campaign for the similarly troubled Rhyl SeaQuarium.

Mr Ward, who also helps collect donations for the Prestatyn and Meliden Food Bank, added: “Because of the Covid 19 Pandemic, the zoo had to close its doors and was struggling to cope without having any visitors to the zoo.

"Even thought the zoo is open again now, there is still a backlog of bills and everything else, and still lots of mouths to feed."

To join in, visit the 'Big North Wales Camp-out' public group on Facebook, and to 'pay a small fee' for joining in search for 'The Big North Wales Camp-out' on uk.virginmoneygiving.com.