RECORD numbers of people have visited Paignton Zoo for the second year in a row.

The new benchmark comes despite variable weather in the summer and the economic downturn this autumn.

However, sister site Living Coasts in Torquay received just under 108,000 visitors in the same period, some 10,000 down on last year.

Ten days ago the zoo knew it had cracked its previous record of 507,068 set last year and the turnstiles kept clicking away notching up another 22,672 to set a new tally of 529,740 visitors during its financial year to the end of October.

Zoo executive director Simon Tonge said: "I think there are many reasons for our success. Paignton Zoo is a famous and long-established name.

"It is known as a great attraction in any weather which caters for a range of visitors from young families to older people.

"It is an excellent value full day out — and people know the money they pay on the gate goes towards animal welfare, education, research and conservation projects. As a charity we rely on our visitors for our income.

"The zoo grounds and enclosures are excellent and there is always something new to see. Crocodile Swamp opened this year and has been a huge hit.

"Add to that our enthusiastic, hard-working and dedicated staff and volunteers and the support of local people, we have 12,500 annual members and most of them living close to us, and I think you can see why we are doing well."

The zoo says the busiest day of the last 12 months was Bank Holiday Monday on May 5, when 5,016 people came through the gate.

The quietest day was December 6 last year when just 63 people visited. August was the busiest month.

The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, the charity which runs Paignton Zoo, also runs Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.

Newquay Zoo welcomed more than 174,000 visitors for the same period, just two per cent down.

Simon Tonge said: "Living Coasts is probably one per cent of the size of Paignton Zoo, but receives 20 per cent of its visitors, so it punches well above its weight, and people are now staying longer and spending more there.

"All three of our sites are charities. We make money for a good cause, not for private gain. Few attractions in Torbay or across the region can say that.

"As a charity we are not complacent. We want to keep improving. Next year looks set to be much tougher financially, but on the other hand, people are always looking for great value and that's what all our sites offer.

"I think the people of the South West are proud to have three such exciting and varied conservation attractions on their doorstep."

The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust has attracted millions of pounds worth of European grants to the Bay to build capital projects such as Living Coasts and Crocodile Swamp and pumped nearly £1million into conservation work at home and abroad over the last 10 years.