Louis, the PG Tips chimpanzee, dies aged 37

Tributes have been paid to a Twycross Zoo chimp who starred as 007 in TV adverts for PG Tips tea.

Louis the chimpanzee parodied James Bond in adverts for the brand during the 1970s and 1980s.

The 37-year-old died at Twycross Zoo in Warwickshire on Monday following a very short illness, the zoo said.

Curator Dr Charlotte Macdonald said: "Louis was a very gentle and laid-back chimp - a favourite with everyone.

"Born at Twycross, he was one of the original PG Tips chimps.

"Although gone, Louis will never be forgotten - he will always be a member of our Twycross Zoo chimp family."

The chimp's 42-year-old partner Choppers, who also starred in the ads, remains at the zoo.

Dr MacDonald added: "She is doing well and will be monitored closely over the next couple of weeks by the animal team.

"She will be introduced to some of the other chimps in the near future."

The adverts featuring the chimps first aired in 1956 and were voiced by stars including Bob Monkhouse and Peter Sellers.

As well as Bond, they made appearances as removal men, housewives and even Tour de France cyclists.

The ads ran for 45 years until in 2002 they where axed after a campaign by human rights activists.