VISITORS to South Lakeland's zoo are now able to enjoy lunch in the company of monkeys.

Emperor Tamarin monkeys are now living alongside the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis café.

Thanks to the attraction's refurbished conservatory, you can enjoy a bite to eat whilst sitting inches away from the monkeys' habitat.

Charity founder, Jo Marsden, said: "I’ve always loved monkeys and wanted to bring some to the Oasis.

We’ve four girls and one boy and they share their enclosure with a couple of pheasants. This environment is perfect for them, they are nosy little creatures, and love watching everyone watching them."

Visitors to the café do not need to have pre-purchased a ticket to the park itself to enjoy this unique dining experience either. The £100,000 addition to the attraction is open to everyone, free of charge.

Assistant manager Jayne Gibbins said: "We wanted to increase the capacity of our dining area so adding a large sheltered seating area alongside the Tamarins’ enclosure was an obvious choice.

"However, we’d no idea just how well received it would be, having the monkeys on the other side of the glass. It's brilliant that we've been able to create this viewing area so people can be entertained while they eat."

"The Emperor Tamarins are absolutely the stars of the show. Sometimes I'm not sure who's enjoying it more, the monkeys or the children."