Britain's oldest gorilla has died, aged 57.

Babydoll, who was hand raised by the Aspinall family at Howletts Wild Animal Park, had to be put down today after becoming increasingly ill.

Park owner and Aspinall Foundation chairman Damian Aspinall, who was particularly close to her, says it was a "difficult decision" but she had become too weak to continue.

"I have many memories of her from my childhood through to now and will never forget her," he said.

"She had the sweetest, yet quirkiness nature that made her truly original."

Her death was announced on the Howletts Facebook page this afternoon.

In the wild, female western lowland gorillas can live up to 40 years.

Keepers and the parks’ veterinary team, along with Mr Aspinall, had been treating her illness with regular medication and monitoring her progress, trying to make her as comfortable as possible.

Babydoll was a key member of the Aspinall family gorillas and hand raised in the Howletts cottage where she built a close bond with the entire family, especially Damian, who is only a year older.

Throughout her long life, she gave birth to seven youngsters - four males and three females - and is survived by three of her offspring. One of her grandsons was among the first group of male western lowland gorillas to be returned to the wild by The Aspinall Foundation.