From monkey business to the insurance business - a former primate holding centre is the new home for Insurance consultant Pro-find.

It has become a tenant of the site of the notorious Shamrock Farm, at Small Dole, near Henfield.

For 50 years, the farm was used as holding centre for monkeys before they were sent to laboratories in Europe for experimentation.

The farm was the site of numerous animal protest demonstrations and clashes with the police, particularly in the late-Nineties, until in May 2000 it was announced that it was to close.

Pro-find managing director Kevin Locke said: "The site is unrecognisable from its previous use.

"It has been cleaned up and we are refurbishing it into excellent business space.

"There were animals held in the buildings we are using but it is now clearly an office. We hope by bringing a community business here the area can be seen as having a new positive purpose."

Pro-find has been based in the Henfield area since it began operations in 1997. The company said it was important to have a local presence.

Mr Locke said: "The offices we were working from in Henfield High Street were too small for our growing business. When we heard about the opportunity to move so little a distance and have the room we needed it was too good to ignore."

The offices span 5,000 sqft, including eight separate offices and a large open-plan area.

Pro-find employs ten staff and has plans to recruit more in the next few years.

Mr Locke said: "The extra room is important because the core business of the company is becoming more sought after.

"We offer personal insurance services but we specialise in professional indemnity insurance.

"It is compulsory to have this type of cover in an increasing number of professions.

"Essentially it covers a business from errors and omissions which have a negative impact on a client.

"For example, an accountant might be sued by a client for miscalculating a tax return, resulting in over payment. Insurance can cover court costs and, if needed, any damages incurred."

In August, the entire farm site was bought by specialised furniture firm, Dragons, which moved its headquarters from Walton Street, Small Dole.

New buildings were set up for the furniture business and the grounds are being landscaped with wild flowers.