A Leicestershire zoo has managed to avert a mass chimpanzee escape bid by using ice cream and fizzy drinks to tempt the wayward animals back into their cages.

Twycross Zoo has since reopened after the incident earlier this morning in which a group of chimpanzees got into a 'secure service area' of their enclosure while being transferred.

A police spokesperson reassured the public that "everything was now in order".

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The zoo's website confirmed that the incident "required closure of the Zoo whilst keepers encouraged the chimps back into their normal living areas with ice cream and fizzy drinks."

The statement continues: "At no time were the public at risk, and no people or chimps were harmed during the incident, however it is part of our safety procedures that we close the zoo whilst such events are resolved."

"Investigations will commence internally now the situation has been resolved into how the animal escaped."

"The Zoo reopened at 11.30am today and all of the chimps are fine, if not a little excited about having ice cream for breakfast. They are all on view to the public as normal."

Leicestershire Police said the incident had occurred as eight chimps were being rehoused and that officers were called as a precaution.