A REPTILE lover hopes to draw visitors back to a North-East tourist attraction, with a tortoise zoo.

Colin Walton, 48, is donating 20 of his own tortoises to get it off the ground at the closed Spanish City funfair in Whitley Bay.

Mr Walton is hoping to get National Lottery funding to turn his dream into reality.

His tortoise collection, which he keeps at his North Shields home, includes rare tropical varieties such as the Indian Star, which can live for up to 200 years.

The registered tortoise breeder said: "I was looking at a map of the zoos in this country and noticed there weren't any in the North-East.

"So I just put two and two together and thought I may as well give the zoo idea a try.

"All the people I've spoken to think it's a great idea and I think it would attract visitors to Whitley Bay."

A North Tyneside Borough Council spokeswoman said the authority had received no formal approach.

But she said: "We are looking for all sorts of ideas for Spanish City and would welcome any suggestions and certainly consider them."