MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition backing a devoted pet owner's fight to keep the monkey that has roamed free in her home for 13 years.

Grandmother Mary Stanton, 73, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, has now vowed to sell her home and possessions to pay for the fight to keep her capuchin pet, Joe.

She was refused a dangerous wild animals licence by Blackburn Council, even though she had previously held a licence for five years and has owned monkeys for more than 50 years.

Council officials refused the licence and told her that Joe could easily escape from his cage and attack someone. They want to rehouse him at the Monkey World sanctuary in Dorset.

But to fight the action, she says, will cost in excess of £1,600 because she needs a barrister.

Mrs Stanton said that now she faces the heart-breaking decision of how to raise the money for her case on September 21. The monkey, which Mrs Stanton describes as "placid", lives in a cage in her terrace home, with her husband, John, 76, five macaws, three Amazon birds, two cockatoos and two dogs.

"I may have to sell my birds, my possessions or even my home to raise that kind of money. But I will fight the decision," said Mrs Stanton.

"All this is breaking my heart, but I will do anything to keep Joe. I can't stand the thought of losing him."

Neighbours and friends have signed a petition in support of Mrs Stanton, which now boasts more than 1,000 signatures.

And Mrs Stanton says she has received phone calls and letters of support from all over the country including a retired Army officer who has offered to give evidence in her court case. "Everyone has been very kind and I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support. It means a lot to me and because this is such a worrying time I cannot write back at the moment," she said.

Mrs Stanton was refused a licence last month after an environmental health officer and veterinary surgeon inspected her home. They deemed conditions to be "very unsatisfactory" and ordered work to be carried out on Joe's cage.

Mrs Stanton has appealed and the case will be heard by Blackburn Magistrates. But she has been told to keep him under lock and key until his fate is decided.