IT was more like gorillas in the rain than the mist but even the wet weather could not dampen the spirit of the crowd who had come to see the opening of Blackpool Zoo's latest attraction.

Gorilla Mountain, opened by Mary Talbot-Rosevear (pictured), the director of the Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland, is the result of 12 months' hard work and planning by the zoo.

But there was only one thing missing to make the day complete -- and that was the gorillas. The bad weather meant Lomie, Jitu and Kukee kept out of the way of the cameras, preferring instead to stay underground in the labyrinth of dens the new enclosure provides.

Gorilla Mountain replaces the old gorilla enclosure built in 1972. With a series of waterfalls and dens, there are safari-style viewing huts for visitors and a staff monitoring area for research.

Zoo bosses are now hoping the young apes will start a family and contribute to the number of gorillas already kept in captivity throughout the world.

"This is a significant commitment by the zoo to the European Endangered Species programme and it is important that small projects like this thrive and gain recognition," said Mrs Talbot-Rosevear.