Newspaper archives reveal amusing pictures of animals shared since 1900s

Undated British Newpapers Archive handout of a chimp tea party Credit: British Newspaper Archive/PA Wire

People have been sharing funny animal pictures for more than a century, long before social media sites and emails, newly released newspaper archives have found.

Research by the British Newspaper Archive website found a number of amusing photographs from publications released in the 1900s.

A picture of a chimpanzee wearing a dinner suit and roller skates, featured in the Exeter Gazette in 1912, is one of the pictures made available online for the first time today.

The chimp, known as Consul and a popular attraction at the Exeter Hippodrome, was described as "almost human".

Consul is 'almost human' in his dinner suit and roller skates Credit: British Newspaper Archive/PA Wire

In the same year, the Hull Daily Mail published a photograph of a cat wearing a gown and matching parasol, the newspaper said that the pet and its owner, a Miss B Colman of Ilford, Essex, could be seen "taking walks together".

Miss B Colman regularly took walks with her cat, who she dressed in a hat and parasol Credit: British Newspaper Archive/PA Wire

A small dog named Susan was pictured in the Gloucester Journal, as the winner of the Cranham Fancy Dress Show for Dogs in September 1949.

Owner Mrs K Daniels seemed delighted with the prize, despite her pet looking less than amused in a summer dress, bonnet and matching booties.

Mrs K Daniels and her prize-winning pet Susan Credit: British Newspaper Archive/PA Wire

Amy Gregor, spokeswoman for The British Newspaper Archive, said: