The British Humanist Association (BHA) has called on tourism organisations to take action against a North Somerset zoo that it believes is promoting the idea of creationism.

Noah's Ark Farm Zoo at Wraxall, near Bristol, has been accused of deliberately misleading visitors by not being open about its "creationist agenda" and attempts to discredit scientific conclusions that contradict religious teachings.

VisitBritain and the South West England tourism agency have been urged by the BHA to stop promoting the attraction, while the charity has also called on North Somerset Council and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure that Noah's Ark Farm Zoo meets with educational guidelines.

Andrew Copson, BHA director of education, said: "We believe Noah's Ark Farm Zoo misleads the public by not being open about its creationist agenda in its promotional activities and by advancing misunderstandings of the natural world.

"As Noah's Ark Farm Zoo threatens the public understanding of the natural world we have asked the local authority, who issues the zoo with its license, to ensure that the zoo's education practices are inline with relevant government and other guidelines."

However, Noah's Ark Farm Zoo has rejected the BHA's suggestion that it has deliberately sought to mislead visitors. According to Jon Woodward, the zoo's marketing and research assistant, the attraction seeks to allow visitors to reach their own conclusions about evolutionary and creationist theories.

Woodward said: "We are a Christian-run business, but we do not teach religious material to students in our school workshops - only National Curriculum relevant subject matter is used here.

"We agree with much evolutionary theory but also believe in God and wish people to be free to make their own minds up, rather than be forcefully guided by atheistic organisations such as the BHA away from any thinking about God or creation."