AN animal lover is making a fresh bid to set up a sanctuary for homeless reptiles, and hopes to turn it into a tourist attraction.

John Cheetham was denied by Ryedale District councillors last year when he sought permission to build the facility on land in Pickering, because they said the increase in traffic at the access would have been unacceptable.

Since then, Mr Cheetham's reptiles have been on loan to zoos and other sanctuaries across the country, but he is still keen to give them a permanent home in Pickering.

"The search is still on for a suitable site and we're very keen to find one," he said.

"I have decided we won't be submitting any more planning applications until we have found a suitable site.

"Ideally, that would be a former garden centre in a quiet part of the town. It will need to be about three acres because we'll need half an acre for parking and half an acre for our giant tortoise to roam.

"I'd appreciate advice or help from someone with some land or with suggestions."