A GROUP of mystic meerkats have put their "psychic" abilities to the test again by predicting the outcome of England’s quarter-final clash with the Ukraine.

The all-knowing creatures at Drusillas Wildlife Park in Alfriston correctly forecast the result of the Three Lions Euro’s game against Germany, and they have once again plumped for England to come out victorious.

Zookeepers were so excited by their apparent ability to accurately predict the outcome of football matches, that they named the park’s two new meerkat pups Sterling and Kane after the England goal scorers.

The Argus: Meerkat pup Kane - named after Harry Kane - on the ballMeerkat pup Kane - named after Harry Kane - on the ball

And the new arrivals didn’t have to wait long until they were put through their psychic paces.

The meerkats were given two buckets of food – one draped in an England flag and another dressed in a flag of Ukraine – and were tasked with choosing which one to eat from.

It started to look like Ukraine might be their pick for the game when meerkats Chandler, and Monica went straight for that bucket, but Phoebe, Ross, Rachel, Tyson, Tamu and babies Kane and Sterling were having none of it, and rushed forward to force a clear victory for the Three Lions.

The Argus: Newly named meerkat pups Kane and Sterling with groupNewly named meerkat pups Kane and Sterling with group

Although it might seem an unusual activity for animals, the whole process is part of the zoo’s enrichment programme, which ensures a diverse diet is enjoyed in imaginative and unusual ways.

Enrichment is carried out within all the enclosures each day to encourage the animals to work a little harder for their food as they would in the wild, as well as providing mental stimulation.

Mark Kenward, Zoo Animal Manager, said: “There’s a real buzz around the mystical meerkats since they predicted England would win against Germany and got it right.

“They’re enjoying their five minutes of fame and the Keepers are glad they backed England again.

“We’re all hoping they make the semi-finals but we’ll have to wait and see! Of course, we wish everyone luck but it would be great to see it come home.

“All the animals we have at Drusillas Park are very intelligent and require stimulation physically and mentally and this is perfect for them.

“They all enjoyed their favourite treat of mealworms while enjoying some football-themed enrichment.”