Looe Monkey Sanctuary calls for help after flood damage

Flood damage follows a slump in visitor numbers during the wet summer

A monkey sanctuary hit by flood damage which will cost thousands of pounds to repair has appealed for help.

Heavy rain flooded the main building and education centre at the Looe Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall and several trees were felled. A monkey died at the centre during November's wet weather.

It follows a slump in visitors during the wetter than average summer season.

A winter appeal for donations has been launched by the attraction following "fantastic support" during the floods.

5,000 fewer visitors

Claire Turnbull, the education officer at the sanctuary, said: "We actually got flooded into the building, the house where many of the staff live and it went through into the education office.

"During all the bad weather we sadly lost our youngest monkey which was a really big shock to us all. That was really tragic and horrible."

Miss Turnbull said the centre was launching a winter appeal to "raise people's donations and help."

According to the attraction's website summer visitor numbers were down by 5,000, which equates to income in the region of £60,000.

The sanctuary said it was being asked on an almost weekly basis to rescue more monkeys.

Miss Turnbull said: "We're hoping [next year] doesn't get any worse. We're hoping to really try and reach out to more people next year."