THE team behind long-running television wildlife documentary, Monkey Life, have launched a £200,000 fundraising drive to help save their show.

Primate Planet Productions bosses were reeling earlier this month, following the announcement by TV channel Animal Planet not to broadcast series eight of the series.

Monkey Life highlights the lives of the primates and the work carried out at Wool's Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre.

Now the production company has decided to reach out to the shows' fans, in a bid to bankroll enough funds to complete the first six episodes of the next series.

The 40 day campaign, with a target of £197,000, will include a number of special events at Monkey World.

Recently appointed PPP managing director Susan Tunstall said: “This is a really exciting time to be joining PPP. The team have already filmed hundreds of hours of footage and we have some amazing stories to tell.

“We understand it is a large amount of money to raise this way but believe viewers want to see these magnificent primates cared for at Monkey World.”

The wildlife reality show has been filmed at Monkey World for the last eight years, spanning 134 episodes and broadcast on channels Five and Animal Planet.

Production bosses are currently working to secure a new channel for series eight.

If the £197,000 target is not reached within 40 days of the campaign's June 12 start, the production company will not take any of the money pledged.

To back the project visit kickstarter.com and search for Monkey Life.