A RACE against time to save lions, tigers and other exotic animals at a threatened zoo is being spearheaded by a Bolton-born entrepreneur.

Danny Bamping, the brains behind the Bedlam Puzzle Company, has just one week to raise £3 million to buy and upgrade the Dartmoor Wildlife Park before it closes.

If he fails, many of the older exotic animals, which are unable to be rehomed, will have to be destroyed at the Plymouth-based park.

The possible closure of the park was brought about by the retirement of the zoo's owner, Ellis Daw, who opened it in 1968.

A potential buyer pulled out of a deal several weeks ago and unless someone comes forward before Sunday, 77-year-old Mr Daw will be handing in his zoo licence and the park will probably be sold to a housing developer.

Mr Bamping was brought up in Bromley Cross but moved to the Plymouth area 10 years ago and was immediately attracted to the park, particularly it's big cats.

"I have always had a love for cats since I was a child, probably because I was never allowed to have one," said Mr Bamping. "It is a big fascination for me."

He says hundreds of other animals lovers would be heartbroken if any of park's five lions, six Siberean tigers and exotic creatures have to be put down.

A founder of the British Big Cats Society, Mr Bamping is now trying to put together a consortium to pay the £1 million asking price for the zoo and invest a further £2 million to turn the park around after it became run down in recent years.

"The place is such a great asset to the area.

"We have less than a week left and are about half way there in terms of raising the cash, but at the moment it is teetering on the verge of not happening," he said.

"If the right people come forward it would be a worthwhile investment. There is so much potential there."