Tiger attacks woman at South Lakes Wild Animal Park

The wildlife park closed early following the attack and all visitors have left the park

A zoo worker has been seriously injured by a tiger in Cumbria.

Cumbria Police said the 24-year-old member of staff was attacked in an enclosure at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, near Dalton-in-Furness.

She was taken to Royal Preston Hospital suffering from head and neck injuries.

Cumbria Police said the animal was later securely locked in its enclosure and there had not been any risk to the public.

A spokesman for the force added: "The wildlife park has closed early and all visitors have left the park.

"Police and Barrow Borough Council are currently investigating the circumstances that led to this incident."

The zoo's Facebook page said staff "thoughts and prayers" were with the woman and her family and that the zoo would reopen on Saturday.

The wildlife park opened in 1994 and has both Siberian and Sumatran tigers.