Wildest gleams in zoo trip

It's a quiet December evening in the breathtaking Leicestershire countryside and any cars we meet only seem to be heading to one place.

- EMMA NEVIN

Nestled among endless greenery is Twycross Zoo, a 100-acre site that's home to hundreds of animals from 70 different species.I'm told that the zoo attracts over 700,000 visitors annually to marvel at the animals. This year, Twycross has given the public a new reason to visit with their spectacular Lanterns of the Wild display.

Taking 99,000 hours to create, the experience showcases over 2,000 lanterns - some more than 100 times their natural size - brought to life by an impressive 25,000 bulbs and 70,000 metres of strip light.

The mile-long trail begins with The Gruffalo Lantern Experience, bringing beloved characters from the children's classic to larger-than-life form.

As we venture through the dazzling display, stopping briefly for a delightful toasted marshmallow, we are in awe at how every turn presents a new beautifully lit wild habitat.

The lights are handcrafted and hand-painted by artisans from Zigong, the lantern capital of China, with a team of 30 talented Chinese craftsmen working onsite at Twycross Zoo earlier this year.