A female zookeeper has been killed in a horrific tiger attack at Hamerton Zoo, near Sawtry, Cambridgeshire, England at around 11:15am today.

Cambridgeshire Police said: "A tiger had entered an enclosure with a keeper. Sadly the female zoo keeper died at the scene."

Visitors were led away from the zoo. At no time did the animal escape from the enclosure, said police.

The zoo was evacuated on Monday morning amid scenes of chaos as visitors told how they heard blood-curdling screams at the attraction.

Staff said they were left “distressed” after the attack and confirmed the zoo would remain shut on Tuesday.

A statement read: “This appears to have been a freak accident.

“A full investigation is currently underway and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able.

“At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way.

“All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time.”

Hamerton Zoo visitors spoke of “absolute chaos” as the site was evacuated following reports of a tiger attack amid blood-curdling screams.

Eyewitness, Pete Davies, 55, who was there with his partner and son, said: “We were at the tiger enclosure and there was a guy who was ahead of us with a camera taking photos of animals.

“He was in the next closure, he came running past us really quickly. Then he came back with a few zoo keepers to the viewing area of where the tiger was, and then we heard a girl screaming and another one said run to us so we found a small room and stayed there until it was safe to leave.