A ZOO is trying to raise thousands of pounds to find a female partner for its cheetah.

Around 1,000 people came along to a fundraising event at Eagle Heights, supported by glamour model Jodie Marsh, to watch two-year-old Boumani run a five-second sprint to catch his dinner.

A target total of €9,000 (£7,800) is needed to buy a female cheetah from Germany to start a breeding programme, but so far the zoo has only managed to raise £1,000.

The fundraiser at the zoo in Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, also featured treasure hunts, bird and reptile displays, and a tortoise race.

Zoo director Alan Ames says Boumani is the only cheetah in the UK to run in front of the public.

Mr Ames said: “He is the real star, he can get from zero to 70 miles per hour in three-and-a-half seconds.

“The crowd think he’s great, the kids love him.”

To make a donation contact the zoo on 01322 866 577.