Atkinson adopts abused chimpanzee

Former Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkinson has adopted a chimpanzee called Bryan.

The 23-year-old and her footballer boyfriend Marcus Bent decided to adopt the animal after discovering he had been abused by his owner in Mexico.

Atkinson contacted Monkey World in Dorset after seeing a TV programme detailing the lives of the animals there.

The park, founded by the late Jim Cronin in 1987, was founded to protect rare primate species around the world from extinction.

Atkinson said: "We have adopted Bryan, who was being kept by a beach photographer. We are delighted to help out. This is a brilliant cause that Jim started and we only hope that other people jump on board and adopt."

The Monkey World rescue centre features on the Five show Monkey Life.