A VETERINARY surgeon from the region was part of a pioneering team which succeeded in restoring the sight - and love prospects - of a 19 stone female gorilla.

Since leaving his home town of Richmond, North Yorkshire, David Gould had been working his animal magic on canine patients at Bristol Veterinary School.

However, the 34-year-old was invited to play a crucial role in the operation to remove a cataract from the right eye of western lowland gorilla Romina.

The procedure, the first of its kind to be performed in Europe, will make 21-year-old Romina a more attractive mating proposition to her companion, Bongo.

Romina, hand-reared in Rome, had been virtually blind since birth. After she arrived at Bristol Zoo Gardens, it became apparent that Romina's condition was hampering silverback male Bongo's romantic overtures - and, in turn, the park's chances of continuing its breeding programme.

Dr Gould was called in to offer his expert opinion and, despite the unfamiliar species, was able to suggest a solution.

"I am more used to cataract operations on dogs, but when I looked into her eyes they were quite obviously human-like," he said.

"It was quite sensible to bring in Jenny Watts, who is an NHS medical opthamologist, to do the work, and I was the assistant surgeon. We worked well as a team."

During a two-hour operation, the cataract was removed by making a tiny incision in the eye and using a needle to break up the cloudy lens. Knowing the operation had been successful was an emotional achievement for the team.

"The risks were slight and we thought it was well-justified," said Mr Gould, who was educated at Richmond School before moving on to universities in Edinburgh and Cambridge, and then to work in Bristol.

"It was fantastic to be involved in. We are going to operate on the other eye in a few months time."

While the success of the landmark operation means there could be a host of new arrivals at the zoo, it has also allowed Romina to settle some old scores.

Dr Gould said: "In the past, she was bullied by one of the other female gorillas at the zoo. She would sit above Romina and hit her on the head with things, because when Romina looked up she couldn't see what was there.

"Now she is getting her own back.