MORE than 5,000 people were evacuated from a zoo after chimps escaped their keeping area. 

Visitors were told to leave Chester Zoo just before 1pm on Sunday 'as a precaution'.

Managers stressed none of their 30 chimpanzees had made their way into any public areas.

A spokeswoman confirmed a number of the chimps had gone into the 'keeping area' of their enclosure.

Zoo-keepers were trying to coax the animals back onto the viewing area of their enclosure - an island - with food this afternoon.

A statement said: "Chester Zoo can confirm there was an incident today involving a number of chimpanzees.

"A group of chimpanzees made their way into a keeping area at the back of their enclosure. The house was immediately closed off and none of the 30 chimpanzees made their way into any public area of the zoo.

"However, as a precaution, visitors were evacuated from the zoo.

"The incident began at 12.40pm and senior staff are currently on site at the chimpanzee enclosure. There have been no injuries to any member of the public or to staff and we would stress that the decision to evacuate the zoo was purely taken as a precautionary measure.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused to our visitors and would thank them for their full co-operation and patience.

"At the moment, it is unclear how the incident happened however there will be a full investigation."

The zoo covers 110 acres and welcomes more than 1.3m visitors every year.