Welsh Mountain Zoo - National Zoo of Wales in Colwyn Bay has unveiled plans for a new all-weather Tropical House as part of a wider redevelopment scheme.

The development plans combine the Tropical House with a science discovery exhibition that will include a training, skills and education centre, with courses run by Llandrillo College. Work on the proposed Wales Centre for Wildlife Skills and Education is due to commence in 2012 and will be built to incorporate the highest BREEAM standards.

It will be operated by the National Zoological Society of Wales in partnership with Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, and has secured funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. Welsh deputy minister for housing and regeneration Jocelyn Davies said: "The educational side of the development will provide excellent new training opportunities for people across North Wales in a field where opportunities are limited at the moment."