Watch: Gorilla chases astronaut Tim Peake through International Space Station

A 20-second speeded-up clip of British astronaut Tim Peake being pursued through the International Space Station by a gorilla is proving to be a web sensation.

For his birthday, US astronaut Scott Kelly was given a gorilla suit by his twin brother and decided to have some fun with it on the mission.

Major Peake, from Westbourne near Emsworth, readily agreed to be the ‘victim’ chased by the beast.

Kelly’s brother Mark shared the video on Twitter, saying “Folks I’m pretty sure that’s an #ApeInSpace aboard the @Space_Station.”

He then added: “Um, @StationCDRKelly, I thought you said you had things under control up there on @Space_Station? #ApeInSpace”.

Shortly afterwards, Scott Kelly shared a longer version of the video, tweeting: “Needed a little humour to lighten up a #YearInSpace. Go big, or go home. I think I’ll do both. #SpaceApe”