Shoppers have voted to name the swinging monkey in the Gordon Scott shoe shop in Watford’s intu shopping centre Champ the Chimp.

Even Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill got in on the act to cast her vote for her favourite name when she visited the shop on Saturday to meet the new incumbent on the high bars.

Champ, the new king of the swingers, has replaced Charlie the Chimp who is now going into his well-earned retirement and a new home at Watford Museum

A monkey has swung on  bars nestled among the window display at the shoe shop for 50 years and has brought a few minutes of delight to countless tired and frustrated children brought into Watford for a shopping trip. 

Alfie the Ape was the first Gordon Scott monkey introduced to the shop in the 1960s. When he wore out he was replaced by Charlie.