DRUSILLAS Park in Alfriston welcomed its longest standing member for an afternoon tea.

Harry Simmons, 80, from Polegate, has been regularly visiting the zoo since 1947 and recently renewed his membership for 2018.

Admin staff noticed that Harry had been visiting for a long time when he and his wife Linda popped in to renew their memberships a few weeks ago.

After chatting to the couple and doing some research, it became apparent that Harry was Drusillas’ longest standing and most loyal member.

Director Cassie Poland, said: “It was brought to my attention that Harry Simmons had been coming to Drusillas for over 71 years.

“We checked through our records and it turned out that Harry topped the list as our longest standing member. It was so lovely to hear that he was still coming to see us after all this time, so we wanted to do something special to show our appreciation and to celebrate nearly three quarters of a century of him coming to Drusillas.

“So we arranged for Harry and his wife to have afternoon tea at the park.”

Harry’s wife was unable to attend but that didn’t stop him from going along for tea, cake and a chat with staff.

Harry said: “The first time I came to Drusillas would have been when I was about eight in 1947, just after the war.

“My mum used to bring myself and my eight brothers and two sisters to Drusillas.

“I remember mum used to get up early and make us all picnic lunches and sandwiches and then bring us to Drusillas for the day.

“She would settle herself down on the grassy picnic area while we ran off to play; only coming back when we were hungry.

“Our picnics at Drusillas make up some of my most lovely memories and I’ll never forget those days.

“The park has changed so much.”