Pembrokeshire's only monkey sanctuary hopes its visitors will go ape on fundraising after the arrival of four new residents from France.

The Barbary Macaques are just settling in to their quarantine quarters at Begelly Countryside Gardens, where Alun Cummings and his family care for rescued primates, alongside running their tourist attraction.

The quartet were taken into care by authorities in France more than a year ago, and have spent several months being rehabilitated in Paris Zoo.

One, named Donkey, was rescued from a circus, where his handler beat him daily with a broom handle.

Mario was found abandoned, starving and dehydrated, tied to a lamp post, while Cheetah and Chicco were both taken from cruel owners.

Because they had bonded themselves into a family' while in care together, and also have psychological problems, it proved impossible to find a new group of the species who would accept them.

"I offered to take them in over a year ago, and finally, all the red tape has been untangled and they have now arrived," said Alun, who has spent £5,000 on building the quarantine residence. Paris Zoo has done a wonderful job, but there is a long way to go. They're very intelligent, but I don't know if I will ever be able to handle them. They have so much distrust from when they were cruelly treated."

The quartet look set to live out their days in the gardens, where Alun is hoping to build a new enclosure for them - at a cost of between £8,000 and £12,000.

"Any profits we make on the gardens will be put back into the sanctuary, and we welcome any donations," he said.

"Hopefully, we might even be able to introduce other Barbary Macaques to them, as the best thing for them would be to be part of a larger family group."