THERE was some serious monkey business at Southampton Airport last night when ten stump-tailed Macaques passed through the terminal on their way to a new home.

The south Asian monkeys – a male called Wilmot and nine females – had flown from Edinburgh to the city on a Flybe passenger flight before being transferred to Monkey World in Dorset. They each had their own box to make sure they travelled in comfort and were accompanied by Dr Alison Cronin, the park’s director. They are coming to the south coast to retire after ten years at a laboratory in the Scottish capital.

Dr Cronin said: “We are so pleased to give Wilmot and his nine ladies a more natural life in their remaining years. Relocation can be a stressful time for anyone so I was really happy that Flybe offered to help.”