Monkeys at Chessington World of Adventures celebrated the Chinese New Year by having a night in with a Chinese takeaway.

The year of the monkey has begun, and runs from February 8 to January 27, 2017.

All around the globe events marked the new year. In Sydney, Australia, the iconic sails of the Opera House was illuminated red, dancers performed at Ditan Park in Beijing and Chiswick House Gardens debuted a lantern festival.

Residents of Chessington World of Adventures decided to keep things a bit more low key, with treats in takeaway boxes, unaware they characterise people born in this year to be lively, quick-witted, curious and mischievous.

The year of the monkey is also believed to one of the most unlucky years in the Chinese character.

Famous people born under this sign include Julius Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens and Lord Byron.