The zoo's flock of 39 flamingos eat floating pellets

The Chilean birds will only eat out of white bins and Paignton Zoo is having trouble finding suitable replacements as the old ones are wearing out.

Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: "We are not sure where they came from and we have been unable to locate replacements."

The zoo cannot use black pins painted white as the paint will flake off.

Curator of birds and reptiles Colin Bath said: "We are looking for medium-sized white dustbins, they need to be round and deep."

The zoo's flock of 39 flamingos eat floating pellets and will only feed with their feet in water.