AN image shared on social media purporting to show a monkey on the loose has been exposed as a hoax by zoo bosses.

A photo shared online appeared to show the primate sat on top of an arch off Abbey Road in Barrow, with fears the animal had escaped from captivity.

But bosses the South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton hit back at the false reports.

The zoo said on Facebook: "We welcome reports of genuine concerns/suspected sightings, and we investigate accordingly, helping out where we can even when we know our animals are all safe where they should be.

"Falsified reports like this one unfortunately result in a lot of wasted time which could be better spent by the teams here.

"Rest assured the Safari Zoo monkeys - like the rest of their fellow residents - are all present and correct and tucking into their tea as we speak."

An up to date photo of the scene where the animal appeared to be sitting was shared by the zoo on Facebook alongside the image in question.