WORRIED neighbours are rallying round an animal lover who faces losing her pet monkey and are planning to launch a petition.

Mary Stanton, 73, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, was told by council officials that her pet monkey, which she has allowed to roam free in her home for 13 years, could escape and attack someone.

And the officals have refused to renew her dangerous wild animals licence, which she has held for five years.

Mary is thinking of taking legal action against Blackburn with Darwen Council, who say her capuchin monkey, Joe, should be re-homed at a sanctuary in Dorset.

The monkey lives in a cage in her terraced home which she also shares with her husband, John, 76, five macaws, three Amazon birds, two cockatoos and two dogs.

Her neighbour Madeleine Fish, 57, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, disagrees with the council's decision, and thinks Joe is a gentle animal who wouldn't harm anyone. She said: "It's ludicrous to think Joe is a dangerous animal.

"He's lived with Mary since he was six weeks old and he's just like a member of the family. He doesn't know any different.

"Mary has had a licence for five years, and now it seems the same conditions are no longer good enough.

"She's really distressed about it all. She's lost weight and she's not sleeping.

"If Joe does go to Dorset it will be the end of the world for Mary because it's miles away.

"Joe is really domesticated and Mary is worried that the other monkeys will attack and kill him."

Madeleine added that she is starting a petition in support of Mary, and she is hoping that her other neighbours will give their backing.

She is also sending letters to Blackburn MP Jack Straw and Mary's solicitor Ramsbottom and Co.

Yvonne Pickup, 58, one of Mary's neighbours, said: "We haven't lived here for very long but we've had no problems with the monkey, and I don't think it's dangerous at all."