An irate monkey attacked a small boy during a trip to a zoo while the child’s father and a zookeeper fought to prise them apart.

The boy – named locally as Raghav – was seriously hurt at an animal centre in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Pictures taken by a bystander show the child pinned to the floor by the primate with blood on his hands and face.

The macaque can be seen clinging to Raghav’s back as his father ran to his rescue.

A zookeeper, alerted by the commotion, armed himself with a yellow stick and attempts to strike the monkey – delivering several blows.

Eventually the boy was separated from the clutches of the monkey, with the primate sprinting off still scowling and baring its teeth.

The boy is said to have received severe injuries, according to local reports – but his current condition is not known.

Large parts of India are plagued by monkeys who steal food, mug people and break into homes.

It has resulted in monkey-catchers being employed to help keep them in check.