Really Wild TV presenter Michaela Strachan has thrown her support behind Wild Futures' campaign to end the primate pet trade in the UK.

Wild Futures, which runs the Monkey Sanctuary in Looe, claims current legislation on the ownership of primates, and Defra's code of practice for keeping the animals, is being ignored.

As a result monkeys are suffering in inappropriate environments all around the UK, the organisation says.

The charity is now calling for a total ban on keeping monkeys as pets.

Brooke Aldrich, campaigns manager at Wild Futures, said: "It is clear that current UK legislation is failing these socially complex and highly intelligent animals.

"The situation is tragic, especially in light of the UK's reputation as a nation of animal-lovers.

"We are sure that the best and only option is to ban the primate pet trade in the UK."

Currently filming her latest TV show, Really Wild Adventures, Ms Strachan said: "I am shocked at how big the monkey pet trade is in the UK – 5, 000 monkeys are kept as pets. I had no idea there were that many."

She urged members of the public to think twice before buying primates as pets.

"Monkeys are not domesticated; they simply don't make good pets. People in this country should know better.

"When I was a child I adored monkeys and the idea of having one as a pet was a constant fantasy.

"But it's as ridiculous as having a pet lion or a pet elephant.

"As an adult, it's just wrong to indulge that childhood fantasy, however much we think we love that animal."

The Monkey Sanctuary in Looe reopened to members of the public on Saturday. For more information visit www.monkeysanctuary.org