JOE the fugitive pet monkey was being kept illegally 300 miles from Blackburn today but his owners still refused to say exactly where he was.

The capuchin monkey at the centre of a court custody battle was smuggled away from his home after Blackburn with Darwen Council refused John and Mary Stanton's application to renew the dangerous animal licence they needed to keep him.

John Stanton, 76, of Harrison Street, revealed that Joe is now in the safe hands of an old friend more than 300 miles away.

He was taken to his new home during Mary's unsuccessful appeal against the council decision last week. John said he was faced with only one option if the pet his wife has kept for 13 years was to avoid the Monkey World animal park in Dorset where the council want to send him.

But the exact location of Joe still remains top secret and the grandfather said he would even face going to prison than tell anyone where he is.

He said: "I wouldn't be bothered if they came and took me to prison. I promised Mary they would not get their hands on Joe and I meant it. Joe is safe now and that's all that matters."

John said they were now £3,000 in debt after the court battle to try and keep Joe.

John and his wife, Mary, 73, are adamant that Joe will not be sent to the ape sanctuary.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council today said they had no plans to prosecute the Stantons for putting Joe in hiding, even though the couple are breaching an order of the court.

A council spokesman said: "Joe must go to the place that's best for him, for his own safety and well being and that is the place recommended by the environment officer."