H'ANGUS the Monkey was hanging around a museum to help cash in on a legend yesterday.
The Hartlepool Football Club mascot visited Hartlepool Historic Quay and Museum to help promote baby monkey dolls.
The cuddly dolls, which went on sale yesterday, bear a ribbon which reads "found in Hartlepool".
Hartlepool Borough Council museum staff are hoping to use the monkeys to cash in on the legend of the monkey that was supposed to have been hanged in Hartlepool when local people thought it was a French spy.
They also thought it was worth using the legend of the Hartlepool monkey because this year is the Chinese Year of the Monkey.
The dolls will be on sale at the museum and the town's tourist information centre, in Church Square.
Claire Munroe, of Hartlepool Arts, Museums and Events Service, said: "We are pleased that H'angus can spare to time to help us launch these new items in our range of monkeys.
"He was our obvious choice, as 2004 is the Chinese Year of the Monkey. We expect it to sell very well. Visitors to the museum will be able to read about the origination of the Hartlepool Monkey legend."
The monkeys, which cost £2.25, will also be used at travel exhibitions to promote the town
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