HOLIDAYMAKERS should visit zoos while foot-and-mouth rages, to support the country's "vital" conservation institutions.

The call came after Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott warned many zoos faced closure through loss of income as the crisis continues.

"British zoos are among the best in the world and make a vital contribution to the conservation of bio-diversity - but they need visitor income to survive," he said.

"I strongly urge people to pay a visit over the Easter holidays."

Some 60 of Britain's 300 zoos are open.