STOLEN GORILLA

Police in Texas are hunting a 35-foot tall inflatable gorilla in blue boxer shorts, which – as you'd expect – has been stolen.

The giant gorilla – which was previously on display at a tyre store just off Interstate 235 in the town of Carrollton – was stolen last week. By whom, or more imprtantly why, remains a mystery.

NTB tyre store mehanic Mike Coates summed up the feelings of many on the issue, commenting: 'I couldn't believe that somebody stole that.'

In a plea to the gorilla thieves, on local TV station NBC 5, Coates asked for the return of the gorilla. 'If you're not using it, I'd like it back. We'd appreciate it.'

Reaction from town residents privded few leads.

'Are you kidding? How do you steal a gorilla?' pondered one local. (The answer to which, it appears, is 'deflate it'.)

While the 35-foot tall gorilla is not the only giant inflatable gorilla in Carrollton, Coates believes that it is distinctive enough that people might recognise it if they saw it. When last seen, the gorilla was wearing a yellow shirt and blue boxer shorts.

Anybody who has seen a 35-foot tall gorilla wearing blue boxer shorts is advised to contact either Carrollton police, or a competent psychotherapist.