TWO six-year-old girls have raised more than £2,000 for a Hampshire zoo after a group allegedly broke in and abused the animals.

Step-sisters Faith Lindsell and Elizabeth Hatfull decided to raise the money when their mums told them about Marwell Zoo being broken into last week.

The two girls, whose mums are partners, were already doing a bike riding challenge to travel 35km, but when the incident at the zoo happened, they decided they would like to do something to help.

Over the last two weeks, the sisters, who only learned to ride their bikes last summer, have been riding around an empty car park close to their home in Bursledon.

They originally set a target distance of 75km but having gone past that, they are now aiming to hit 100km by the end of the month.

Faye Lindsell and Zala Hatfull, the girl’s mothers, set up a JustGiving page and originally made a target of £128, enough to feed the tigers at Marwell for two weeks.

They have now surpassed that target and at the time of the Echo going to print, the girls had raised £2,140.

Mum, Faye, said: “Both me and my partner are super proud of them. I’ve never done anything like this for a charity myself.

“Just being out there and being able to cycle for that long, it’s quite amazing. I’m cycling along with them and I’m aching afterwards.”

The mums play music for the girls whilst they ride to keep them entertained and using her watch, Faye tracks how far they have travelled.

Faye added: “We come here everyday whether it’s after school or after home learning. It’s good fun, it’s fresh air and they’re raising money for the charity which is great.

“If the donations keep coming in we will keep it going as long as possible. I think it’s opened their eyes and ours about doing a little bit more for charity.”

When asked why they like riding their bikes, Elizabeth said: “Faye plays music like Barbie Girl and Queen Elizabeth and I just like riding” and Faith said: “It makes me really happy.”

You can donate to the JustGiving page here.