Boss at helm of Dudley Zoo for 20 years in 'financial' probe

Peter Suddock, who has been in charge of the attraction for more than 20 years, has been suspended on full pay.

It is understood the suspension relates to financial matters. Officials from the attraction, which welcomes thousands of visitors each year, said the investigation was into his 'conduct of certain affairs of the zoo'.

Further details of the nature of the allegations have yet to be revealed and many trustees have been unavailable for comment.

It is also understood that Mr Suddock's wife Jill Hitchman has left her post as head of media at the attraction. She told a follower on Twitter that she was 'no longer based' at Dudley Zoo.

Former Dudley Council leader, Councillor David Sparks, who is one of the trustees, said he could not comment on details due to 'legal considerations'.

He added: "I have kept the leader of the council and the chief legal officer informed of events to my knowledge."

Dudley Zoo said: "Peter Suddock, the CEO of Dudley Zoo, has been suspended on full pay pending an investigation into his conduct of certain affairs of the zoo.

"The suspension does not constitute disciplinary action by the zoo. Whether or not disciplinary action is taken will depend upon the outcome of the investigation."

The zoo has refused to comment on Ms Hitchman's position.

Mr Suddock's career began in the engineering industry before he became chief executive of the attraction in 1993.

In recent years he has overseen major restoration projects at the site in Castle Hill, including the renovation of its chairlift. In the past decade more than £1 million of the zoo's own funds has been spent on a revamp of key areas across site.

A further £3.05m has been in place for a four-year programme of improvement.

Mr Suddock has seen a year-on-year increase in visitor numbers since 2008. More than 290,000 people visited in 2014.

He is a former chairman of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.