THE monkey legend of Hartlepool has resurfaced after two centuries - and the police have finally got involved.

Detectives were called in to investigate after a leg bone was found on the beach at Seaton Carew by a family who were out looking for seashells.

A police surgeon confirmed officers' fears that the bone could be human, but when a team was sent to the beach the tide had come in and the site of the find was underwater.

The bone was taken the following day to a pathologist at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, and his conclusion was that it was not human - more likely to be from a large monkey or gorilla.

Detective Sergeant Matt Mason, who led the investigation, has been ribbed by colleagues in Hartlepool police station.

Some wags have even drawn a gorilla with one leg and a crutch on the wall of his office, while he has been teased by fellow officers asking: "Which one's the monkey?"

The legend of Hartlepool's monkey has long haunted the town. According to the story, during the Napoleonic Wars of 1793 to 1815, a ship was wrecked off the coast of Hartlepool, and the only survivor was a monkey dressed for humour in French naval costume.

Fishermen who captured the animal tried to interrogate it, but could not understand the replies and, never having seen a monkey before, thought it was an odd-shaped human, speaking in a foreign language.

It is said they decided it was talking French and was a spy, so it was condemned to death and hanged on the Fish Sands, in front of the Town Wall.

Det Sgt Mason, who became the first police officer to investigate the death of the monkey, told the Cleveland Police newspaper Forcesight: "There have been a few jokes flying about.

"But at the end of the day, we are just pleased that we are not looking at the remains of a human body."

The head of CID, Detective Superintendent Steve Swales, added: "Matt has been the butt of a few jokes and the story has put a smile on the face of everyone who has heard it.

"It would be interesting to know the history of the bone. However, as it is not human, it will not be a priority and our investigation is closed.

"Perhaps in the interests of preserving the town's folklore, that is the best outcome in that it leaves many questions still unanswered."