A FIVE year-old girl from Murdishaw has raised £1,177 in an effort to save Chester Zoo.

Nancy Nolan, who attends Gorsewood Primary, wanted to do something to save the animals and opted for riding her scooter for five days up and down her street, which she started on Sunday.

Making this an even more impressive feat is the fact that she has been diagnosed with Russell-Silver Syndrome - an extremely rare genetic growth disorder which effects one in 50,000 children.

Proud mum Lorraine said: "We have been members of Chester Zoo for years and go regularly as it is one of Nancy's favourite days out. We had a chat about how much she misses the zoo and I told her it might be a while before she could go again.

"She said that the animals must be lonely without people coming to visit them and would like to get them some toys to keep them company so she came up with the idea of riding her scooter to the end of the street and back once a day."

Lorraine added: "We had to manage the levels of physical activity she could do due to her condition as riding once a day is a physical challenge for her.

"She was very excited for her first ride and even had a T-shirt made for her by Emma Austin who runs Teestory as a gift for Nancy with 'I support Chester Zoo' emblazoned on it.

"It's unbelievable and overwhelming the amount of support we have received. People from as far as Australia have contributed and Chester Zoo have even mentioned her on their webpage."

Emma, from Weston Point, Runcorn, said: "I have made T-shirts for kids and friend's kids. I have known Lorraine for years as both our 14-year-old boys go to the same school.

"When I heard what Nancy wanted to do I wanted to do something to help and so I made her a t-shirt with her favourite zoo animal - a bush dog on it."

Runcorn and Widnes World:

If you would like a custom-made t-shirt by Emma or further information, you can visit her Facebook page at Teestory.

Nancy, who will finish her fundraising on Thursday, has also previously raised more than £1,500 for the Child Growth Foundation.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by visiting Nancy's Scooter Ride JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/lorraine-nolan3?fbclid=IwAR3o58Y63BoK6p4IIERIEbDQTHujhm6nX99bYKsqhyw2PgHHynqBcLmUVAM.