TRENTHAM Monkey Forest has welcomed its millionth visitor, just four years after opening.

The tourist attraction is the only one of its kind in the country and since opening in July 2005 has steadily grown in popularity.

Built in 60 acres of woodland and meadows, there are 140 Barbary macaques roaming free inside the park.

Since opening the monkeys have been fed 240 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and cereals, and 30 baby monkeys have been born in the forest.

On Saturday nine-month-old Chloe Gibbons became the celebrated millionth visitor. It was her first time at the monkey forest and she was given free life time membership. Her parents Sharon and Jason Gibbons were presented with a magnum of champagne to celebrate the occasion.

Mrs Gibbons, aged 29, from Derby, said: "Chloe loves monkeys. She'd seen some at a zoo before. I picked up a leaflet about Trentham at a garden centre and we're glad we've come along. It's fantastic to win a free life-time pass, particularly at Chloe's age. She will be able to make good use of it and learn all about the monkeys."

Staff and managers at the park gave the Gibbons family a guided tour and have promised to name one of next year's baby monkeys after Chloe.

Sue Wiper, scientific officer, said: "It's lovely that little Chloe will grow up knowing all about the monkey forest.

"It is still a very young attraction and it takes time for people to hear about it and realise there are no cages and they don't have to drive around in cars."