Whether it's the weather or the bosses were away for a day, there definitely was some monkey business going around the town.

The animal frolics began on Friday in the Scottish capital. Pictures show some Barbary Macaques escaped from their enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo and keepers now in search of the runaways.

The monkees were being moved to a new home within the zoo when four of the primates made a run for it. They managed to climb trees surrounding the enclosure.

Zookeepers have sealed off the area from visitors since the break-out. Armed with bananas and nets, the keepers were reported to be chasing after the primates - but the furry rebels were simply snatching the fruit from their hands and leaping back into nearby trees.

The rest of the zoo remained open while officials investigate the cause behind the escape.

The Edinburgh escapade was followed by a similar incident at the Chester Zoo on Sunday. It was at the Cheshire zoo where some 30 chimpanzees escaped from their enclosure and headed straight to the kitchen.

Visitors were asked to leave the zoo as keepers rounded up the chimps.

The animals were found enjoying a lunchtime buffet, eating their way through the keeper's supply of fruit and veg.

A zoo spokesperson said: "By around 4 pm we had managed to get all the chimps back in their enclosure, some of them with very full bellies."

Officials apologised for the incident and an investigation was under way into how the animals escaped.