About 100,000 people visit the zoo every year

Wandsworth Council has said that Battersea Park Zoo is too expensive to run and it wants to see an Eden-style project in its place.

But campaigners are demonstrating outside a public meeting on Tuesday evening for it to remain open.

Thousands have signed a petition calling on the council to find the �1.4m needed to save the zoo, which has a range of exotic and domestic animals.

One of its most popular attractions is the contact area where there are supervised animal handling sessions.

The zoo is unfortunately an extra...it is not a core service that the council has to offer Jennifer Ullman, Wandsworth Council

A visitor said: "I think it's a shame because it's accessible to so many people just coming to visit the park and for the children it is ideal."

About 100,000 people visit the zoo every year, but the council has plans to convert it into an Eden-style project with a rain forest experience.

Jennifer Ullman, from Wandsworth Council, said: "The zoo is unfortunately an extra. It is not a core service that the council has to offer by law therefore it's one of the things we are looking to make cuts on."

Campaigners want to keep the zoo easily accessible and affordable to the public.

"I've been taking signatures for days now and people say 'I come every week' - nobody's going to come every week if it is going to cost �40 or �50 to get in as a family," said Christine Fremantle from Save the Zoo.

The council has said all the animals will be found safe alternative homes if it closes.

A final decision will be made in a few weeks and if the zoo is to close it is expected to be around October.