A popular gorilla figure from a Burton furniture store seems to have returned after being missing for months.

The life-sized silverback gorilla figure that was on display outside Furniture Monkey in Hawkins Lane, was stolen in November 2016.

Motorists have now noticed that another gorilla seems to be sitting in front of the store, and are hoping that it is the same one that went missing at the end of last year.

Owner, Dan Johnson, however, had some bad news for hopeful fans of the statue. He said: "It's not the same gorilla. We'd love to be able to say that we have found the original, but unfortunately not.

"Our suppliers have very kindly given us another to sit outside the store."

Derek Johnson, who owns the store alongside son Dan, spoke to the Mail in November to express his anger about the gorilla being stolen, saying: "I am very angry. I can't understand anyone who steals things, its just not in good people's nature and it seems to be just a few dubious character who spoil it for everybody. It is awkward for one person to carry it but it can be done."

The original gorilla was stolen on November 8 2016, and has still not been discovered. Anyone with information on the missing beast can call police on 101 quoting incident 77 on November 9.

Five things you might not know about gorillas

Gorillas are the world's largest primates. They are also very closely related to humans, sharing 98 per cent of DNA with us.

The mammals have unique noseprints, similar to human fingerprints. These prints can be used to identify individuals.

Adult gorillas can eat up to 30kg of food every single day. The herbivores generally enjoy bamboo, fruit and leafy plants.

Like humans, gorillas have five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot, but their arms are much longer than their legs.

Contrary to popular belief, gorillas are not aggressive animals. They tend to be very shy, and like to be left alone.