The last direct descendant of the family who founded Chester Zoo has died, it has been confirmed today.
June Williams, the daughter of George Mottershead, who created the zoo in 1931, has passed away, the zoo have confirmed on their website.
It is not yet known how or where she died, but tributes have been coming in thick and fast on Twitter to the 88-year-old, who still lived in Upton and was instrumental in the making of last year's BBC1 drama Our Zoo about the attraction's history.
In a statement on their website, Chester Zoo said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of June Williams, daughter of our founder George Mottershead.
"In 1930, aged just four-and-a-half, June, George, mum Lizzie and sister Muriel moved into Oakfield House. From there, in the face of stiff opposition, George’s vision of opening Chester Zoo became a reality.
"June helped shape the very fabric of the zoo and indeed, in her younger years, she was the face of the zoo with George using her time and again for publicity shots.
"It was also here that June met her husband Fred, who died in 2012. Together, among many achievements, the formidable duo helped build the aquarium, working in the zoo during the day and building at night.
"Later, after a short spell abroad, June and Fred returned to live in Upton and remained firm supporters and champions of the zoo."
June had written a book about her life growing up at Chester Zoo, which she spoke about at last year's Chester Literary Festival.
