THE UNCERTAINTY of Brexit is threatening the rescue of two lions due to be rehomed from Spain to the Isle of Wight Zoo.

The final chapter of a complex rescue and rehabilitation effort for former circus performers, five-year-old brothers Vigo and Kumba, could be thwarted by Brexit, the zoo said.

The lions are currently being held at a rescue centre in Alicante, Spain, but time is running out for them to reach their new permanent home at the zoo, before any Brexit deal is put in place.

Veronica Chrisp, chief executive of The Wildheart Trust which operates the zoo, said: "We are facing major issues with the logistics of bringing these two majestic animals to their new safe haven here at the zoo and we're extremely worried about the impact of Brexit or possibly no deal on Brexit.

"With all sorts of industries racing to import and export goods prior to the official Brexit there's a very real chance that we can't find or afford a way to get Vigo and Kumba to us before March 29. "After that, our worry is how the transport of animals will be affected by post-Brexit customs arrangements. There could be a great deal more red tape to hold up the journey and there's talk of multi-mile long tailbacks of lorries blocking passage. That's just something we can't risk when transporting big cats."

With pre-Brexit demand causing costs to rise for the few suitable transport options, more urgent fundraising is needed.

Veronica said: "We're doing everything we can to give these poor lions a more certain future and are hoping the next few days and weeks see us raising enough to afford both the living accommodation improvements and the transport in time to avoid Brexit stranding them in Europe."

Anyone wishing to help can go to justgiving.com/campaign/kumbaandvigo.

The lions, pictured, were castrated at a young age by the circus, which explains why they have not developed manes.