A ZOO is facing legal action after an East Lancashire man was bitten by a monkfish.

Fish farmer Jeffrey Stevenson, 32, claimed he was bitten to the bone and left scarred after trying to remove his hand from the mouth of a two-foot-long monkfish at Anglesey Sea Zoo.

Mr Stevenson, from Clitheroe, is now pursuing the matter with solicitors and with the help of marine and fisheries experts.

He said the monkfish was a predatory fish which should not have been kept in a touch pool.

A spokeswoman for Manchester-based solicitors Leech and Co, which is handling the case, claimed Mr Stevenson suffered

deep lacerations in the attack, which happened almost a year ago.

A spokesman said: "Like most zoos, the public are invited to stroke animals and come into close proximity with animals where the zoo considers it safe to do so.

"In this instance Mr Stevenson, who is a fish farmer, was excited to see ray fish and monkfish in a touch pool. The general public of all ages are invited verbally to put their hands into the touch pool to stoke and play with the fish.

"Mr Stevenson put his hand into the touch pool and to his horror the monkfish suddenly swam up and opened its

extremely large mouth over his hand. In trying to release his hand Mr Stevenson sustained deep lacerations to his fingers which still have scars today, nearly one year after the accident."

The alleged attack happened as Mr Stevenson visited the zoo with partner Tracey and children Leoni, 14, Kirsten, 10 and one-year-old Joshua.

He said he is confident he was bitten by a monkfish which he claims is a predator with sharp teeth and should not be in a touch pool.

Mr Stevenson claimed the experience was agony, adding: "It came from nowhere like a rocket. My whole hand was in its mouth."

The Leech and Co spokesman added: "At this time the zoo in question are refusing to accept our client's version of events.

"The zoo are adamant that monkfish are no threat to the public."

Alison Lee-Wilson, a partner at the zoo, declined to discuss the case, which is being dealt with by insurers. But she said the tourist attraction had passed a recent inspection.