Chester Zoo unveiled an ambitious plan that will see it transformed into the largest conservation, animal and leisure attraction of its kind in Europe.

The project – given the working title Natural Vision – will involve a £90 million first phase which will include the only domed ecosystem in the UK.

Called ‘Heart of Africa’, the bio-dome will be an African rainforest-themed sanctuary for a band of Gorillas, a large troop of chimpanzees, Okapi (rare giraffe-like creatures), and a wide variety of tropical birds, amphibians, reptiles, fishes and invertebrates, moving freely among lush vegetation.

The first phase will also include a 90-bed hotel, a Conservation College and a ‘Futures’ education centre. The rest of the Natural Vision project will be completed by 2018, thus creating one of the largest wildlife attractions in the world and support the zoo’s national and international conservation work, which already spans 50 countries.

Liverpool, the European Capital of Culture 2008 hands over to the Year of the Environment 2009 and promises to be a really exciting year as Liverpool takes a step closer to becoming a truly green and sustainable city. With a packed programme of theatre, music and art, 2009 will see Liverpool keeping the cultural ball rolling following a fantastic 2008.

Plans for 2009 include a programme which will ask everyone, old and young, to sign a pledge committing them to completing tasks to reduce their carbon footprint. These will range from reducing the amount of electricity used at home to planting at least one tree or shrub during the year.

Special events include launching the city’s very own designer bag for life and a celebration event to mark the completion of the £14m regeneration of Stanley Park. Events are planned to teach people about the city’s parks and gardens, their history and the impact climate change could have on them.

Later in the year a major environmental conference to be held in the city and Green Fayres selling organic, locally sourced products are planned. The council will be getting involved to by making all city council vehicles, such as waste collection lorries, low-carbon to reduce emissions and encouraging residents to become volunteers for their local nature reserves.

Take a city break in Liverpool and you will be amazed at how the city has transformed over the years, and learn about it’s history. Did you know Liverpools theatres are some of the oldest, largest and most well preserved in the country? And Liverpool has the largest group of Grade 1 Listed buildings in Britain and a huge variety of museums including the world only dedicated museum to slavery?