Trips to Blackpool Zoo have always been a favourite for youngsters at Brian House Children’s Hospice – but now there’s a very special reason for them to take a walk on the wild side.

The Zoo has named a new squirrel monkey Brian, and invited some of the youngsters to meet him with his keeper.

Brian House playworker Sue Pelling said: “We feel very honoured to have our own little monkey and we were very excited to go and see him with his family.

“The only problem is that all squirrel monkeys look pretty much the same, so identifying Brian among his brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles was always going to be a bit of a challenge. We are just going to have to think of them all as Brian!

“Trips to Blackpool Zoo are always very enjoyable, but having our very own squirrel monkey gives the day out a bit of extra excitement. The keeper allowed us into the enclosure to get really close and we now have some information all about squirrel monkeys and a photo of Brian on the wall in Brian House.” 

Animals play an important role in therapy at Brian House Children’s Hospice, which has regular visits from an assortment of creatures, from dogs and donkeys to hedgehogs and even giant snails.