Monkey World honours its founder

Alison and Jim Cronin set up the centre to rescue abused apes

A famous animal sanctuary in Dorset has opened for free to honour its founder who died earlier this year.

Jim Cronin, who died in March aged 55 after a short illness, had dedicated his life to the Monkey World sanctuary near Wool.

The centre was set up in 1987 to provide abused Spanish beach chimps with a permanent home and now houses 150 apes of 15 different species.

On Saturday visitors were allowed free entry as part of a day of remembrance.

Last weekend family and friends of Mr Cronin attended a private memorial service for the conservationist.

A spokesman for the centre said Monkey World would continue "as a fitting memorial to a man whose life touched so many around the world".