A prize-winning Sussex children's zoo has picked up another prestigious award.

The latest trophy awarded to Drusillas Park comes from the Good Britain Guide 2001, which voted the zoo Sussex Family Attraction of the Year.

But this week, two attractions at Drusillas - Farm World and Pet World - were closed to the public as a pre-caution against the dangers of foot and mouth disease.

The zoo, just outside Alfriston, has undergone a major shake up over the last four years under its new owners Laurence and Chris-tine Smith.

Laurence said: "We have spent more than £1million on a range of capital projects since we took over in May 1997 and we knew the park's survival also meant a change in the way the business was run.

"We had to bring modern management techniques and a sense of involvement into the organisation for it to aspire to the high standards we demand."

The formula seems to have worked because, not only has Drusillas picked up the Good Britain award, last year it was unanimously voted Top Visitor Attraction by the South East England Tourist Board.

The accolades do not stop there.

The zoo is one of the first tourist attractions in the South-East to be measured by the new English Tourism Council nationwide visitor attraction quality assurance scheme.

Christine, who is also involved in the running of the zoo, said: "We had the inspection on a wet and miserable late November day but that didn't seem to deter the inspector as he made a number of very complimentary remarks and we are now able to display the national marque."

Mr and Mrs Smiths are not the sort of people to rest on their laurels.

They have opened a new jungle adventure golf course earlier this month, to be followed by the arrival of new animals - ring-tailed coatimundis - for Easter.

Since 1997, visitors have increased from 242,000 to 301,000. Staff numbers have risen from 50 permanent staff to 120 at the height of the season.