IT took Monkey World to restore a pensioner’s faith in human nature after she was targeted by a trio of con artists.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Lynn Waite fell victim to thieves posing as good Samaritans as she struggled home with her pension after her bus service was axed.

Her daughter replaced her stolen pension – but had to use the money she had been saving to take Mrs Waite to Monkey World as a birthday treat.

Now Monkey World has offered the family a free visit to the park, along with a guided tour.

Mrs Waite, in her 80s, said: “I think it’s totally unexpected and marvellous.

“My daughter had put the money away for a birthday present.

“You think everything’s going wrong and then something happens that brings some magic back into your life.”

Mrs Waite, of Moordown, used to take the number 20 Yellow Buses service to Winton to shop and collect her pension. But the service was axed and she was making her way home on foot when a man, a woman and a teenage girl offered her a lift at around 12.30pm on Monday July 4.

Once she was home, the woman and girl asked to come inside to use the toilet and the woman distracted Mrs Waite while the teenager rifled through her purse and stole her pension.

Mrs Waite’s daughter, Karen Yates, 51, had to give her the only money she had to get her through the week.

Sarah Lambert, marketing and PR manager at Monkey World in Wool, said: “We heard about the story in the Echo and we’d like to invite her daughter and Mrs Waite as our guests.”

Anyone with information about the theft should ring Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.