BATHED in late summer sunshine, the happy couple read their vows, exchanged rings and were pronounced man and wife.

It was a traditional English wedding in every respect. Except one.

For Dan and Anna Cooper were sharing their special day with some very unusual guests.

The Newcastle couple provided Monkey World’s very first wedding on Saturday and the backdrop for their ceremony was the park’s chimpanzee enclosure.

After the short service, the newlweds substituted the usual confetti for tossing edible flower garlands and heart-shaped ice lollies to the chimps.

They then headed off around the park for the wedding photos on one of the park’s swiftly customised buggies.

Dan and Anna have visited the park on many occasions and said they could think of no better place to hold their wedding.

“We have been down here so many times, bringing nieces and nephews,” said Anna.

The park’s Watering Hole café was transformed with white and lilac décor to house the reception.”