Watch the moment a Briton came face-to-face with a cheeky monkey after it tried to steal her handbag on holiday in Mexico.

Diane Green, 56, was playing tug of war with a monkey over her handbag with the smaller primate coming out on top.

Joe Green, a 56-year-old vehicle paint sprayer from Burnley, was on hand to capture the action as her partner tried to scramble for the fleeing monkey at the Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico on December 3rd.

Others tried to intervene to wrestle the bag back but two other monkey mates were on the scene to cause chaos and confusion.

The bag was eventually retrieved with all but one handle missing, there was nothing of massive interest to the monkey, only makeup and Diane's purse.

Mr Green added: "We thought what a cute little monkey, next thing it jumps on the table pinches my wife, Diane's handbag.

"It was frightening at the time, it's not everyday you get a that happening you but we had a laugh afterwards."

ENDS