A crazy golf course owner has been forced to move a giant GORILLA after locals dubbed it ‘Peeping Kong’ – and said it was staring into their homes.
The ‘Rumble In The Jungle’ row erupted when residents in a seaside resort went bananas over the massive 7ft fibre-glass primate.
The gorilla was the main feature of the new £250,000 course and had been positioned facing away from the sea – towards a row of large town houses.
But residents said the gorilla’s ”piercing” eyes were staring through their windows – and felt like an invasion of privacy.
They complained and the exasperated golf course owner agreed to move the gorilla 180 degrees so it faced the sea – away from the homes.
But the bust-up is not over – because other residents are now unhappy they have been left looking at the ape’s BOTTOM.
Bemused owner Robert Phipps said: “You couldn’t make it up. There’s no pleasing some people.”
Robert said he has spent more than £250,000 developing his crazy golf course at Dawlish, Devon, with its safari themed collection of high quality model animals.
He runs a similar Jurassic Park themed seafront course in neighbouring Teignmouth where his father, also named Robert, is the deputy mayor.
He added: “It will be good for the local economy by drawing extra tourists into the town. I don’t understand how anyone could take offence.
“We couldn’t believe the Peeping Tom complaint so soon after we opened. It’s only a lifelike replica for goodness sake
“Even when we took it seriously and agreed to change the gorilla’s position we were threatened with legal action.
“And other folk wanted to know why we scattered models including lion, giraffe, elephant,ostrich and the town’s signature black swans around the course.
“They thought cows, sheep and pigs would have been more appropriate for the area. I give up. But at least the visitors seem to like it.”
Dawlish town mayor Lisa Mayne backed Robert in his actions.
She said: “I’m amazed that people have taken exception to his gorilla, but Mr Phipps acted promptly to address their concerns and turn the other cheek.
“I think it’s a high class attraction which is very good for our town. It has brightened up a very dull part of the resort and I love it.”