DUDLEY Zoo needs help catching some of the critters that have arrived over the last few days.

The 11th century castle in the heart of zoo has been named as a gym in the new viral Pokémon GO mobile app game.

The game, which has made headlines around the world, combines real life action with virtual gaming and uses GPS to find the Pokémon.

Nine Pokéstops have also been discovered around the zoo’s 40-acre site, with the creatures being spotted on pathways and in enclosures such as Penguin Bay, Lemur Wood, the giraffe paddock and even in the viewing window next to tigress, Daseep.

The zoo's media and communications officer, Rachel Hickman, said: “With over 1,200 real animals on site anyway, including some of the world’s most endangered creatures, I’m sure we can cope with a few extra virtual ones.

"They won’t add to our weekly £2,300 food bill, so we don’t mind them stopping for the time being.”

During the school holidays the zoo is offering the chance for Pokémon players to hunt out the critters at a reduced admission rate.

Pokémon Fridays will be held throughout August, when adults can gain entry for £10.25 and children £7.25.

Rachel added: “Why not come and visit us during Fridays in the August school holidays and see which ones you can battle or capture.

"We’ve got plenty on site, including the allusive Aerodactyl, Kabuto and Omanyte apparently.

“But please be mindful about enclosures as there are animals in them and it will be quite tricky to rescue a mobile phone or tablet from a curious Sumatran tiger or an inquisitive ring-tailed lemur.”

To gain the reduced entry on August 5, 12, 19 and 26, players need to print off and hand in a voucher, which admits up to four people.

The voucher can be found at www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/news/new-arrivals-at-dzg.