Benefit raises £6,000

Comics have raised more than £6,000 to help save apes.

Rich Hall, Ross Noble Sean Lock, Hattie Hayridge and Stephen Frost were among those taking part in Tuesday's £30-a-head Orangutan Foundation benefit.

Simon Munnery performed his set dressed in an ape suit to mark the occasion.

Organiser Karel Beer, who also runs the English-language Laughing Matters club in Paris, said: "It was a stellar comedy night

"I doubt we will ever see such a line-up again, maybe until my memorial service. And given the amount of laughter I'm subjected to I intend to live for a long time - provided Ross Noble doesn't succeed in sodomising me in an ape outfit."

The gig, in London's plush Café de Paris, was recorded for possible future video release.

Published: 9 Nov 2001