A DISABLED woman has been banned from visiting a Hampshire zoo after she criticised a change in opening times on Facebook.

The Southampton woman said she was told she wasn't welcome at Marwell Zoo after posting comments on its social media page.

It comes as the zoo announced plans last week to halve its opening hours on the days that its Glow event is running.

Instead of opening from 10am to 4pm, the zoo is open from 1pm until 4pm on event days in November and December.

Christie Lloyd, 34, claimed that people with a disability would not be able to go around the 140-acre site in a few hours.

But after posting comments about the change she was banned from the attraction, its Facebook page and her children's passes were revoked.

Christie, who has reduced mobility due to fibromyalgia, bought annual passes for unlimited visits. It cost £66 for adults and £46 for children.

"I do not believe I was abusive," she said.

"We were emailed and told the remaining time on our passes would be refunded.

"They have now taken the passes off my children because I asked why the time had been cut down so significantly and why they hadn't thought about disabled guests when making that decision.

"I have already asked a couple of different staff to send me the screenshots of the comments that led me to me being banned and they haven't provided them."

READ MORE: Marwell Zoo to host family-friendly after dark illuminations event this winter

She added: "The main issue is that they've taken those hours away and made the zoo inaccessible for any passholders with additional needs, then refused to open a dialogue about those issues.

"If their child is disabled, they can't get around in a few hours. I can't get around the zoo in a few hours. I have a disability."

She added: "It would be impossible for me to get round the zoo and see a decent number of animals in three hours.

"I wouldn't want to make multiple trips in close succession as the cost of petrol is just too high and walking round the zoo leaves me in extra pain and very tired.

"It's much better to do one day trip then visit again in a week to two, rather than be expected to do several part days."

Marwell Zoo said that the cost of day tickets has been reduced to reflect shorter hours, and it will still be open full hours on non-event days.

A spokesperson said: "Annual pass holders in winter come in for shorter visits and an annual pass allows guests to come in every day that we are open. This hasn’t changed.

"We welcome all guests irrespective of their personal needs throughout the year and you can read our full accessibility information on the website.

"We haven’t received any volume of feedback on this and, in fact, a number of supporters have defended our approach.

"We have informed all guests and annual pass members well in advance of the changes (which are yet to take effect), through our social media channels."

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