INTRIGUE is mounting around the impending arrival of some strange little creatures on Liverpool shores.

Those who haven’t heard of Mankey Monkeys will do soon, as some 100 of them are about to be adopted across the city as part of a large-scale charity event – and businesses have been snapping them up.

The unusual and ambitious project is the brainchild of city- based artist David Hallangen-Lake.

The self-styled chief ambassador monkey is being accompanied on his crusade by his wife – and chief monkey WAG – Eirin. The pair have a few tricks up their sleeve as they get ready to launch.

They will soon be working flat out at their new HQ in the Liverpool One Bling Building so the public can see the monkeys take shape.

Inspired by the Go Superlambanas and up-coming Go Penguins events, the Mankey Monkeys will be situated on the premises of their adoptors, which will be open to the public looking to complete the monkey trail.

The monkeys – arriving by banana boat, naturally – will be 3ft, individually finished statues that will each have their own name and theme.

Mr Hallangen-Lake said: “Liverpool is a city that really embraces art and we wanted to add to that.

“It’s a family-friendly event, it’s fun and it’s funny. We wanted to work together with businesses and show what can be done, and people have really got involved.”

All money raised will go to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

The Mankey Monkeys will go on display at the end of November through to February, 2010, and then be auctioned off after that.