A GENDER-BENDING gorilla lies flat on his back as a virtual rebuild of Mumbles Pier gets under way.

Nansi the gorilla began life as Norman, but the 10ft primate was ape-napped in 1999 by four men in a boat.

A reward was offered for Norman's safe return, but the only clues to his whereabouts were photos sent from different locations to pier owners Ameco.

Norman, who originally had swings attached to his arms, was eventually found at a strip club on the south coast of England, sporting a bikini.

The oversized monkey returned to his South Wales pier home and will remain here once the £9 million refurbishment has been completed by approximately the end of 2013.

The work on the grade two listed building will also include a replacement lifeboat house.

The new pier will feature fishing platforms and possibly a new landing stage.

Since there is no grant aid to restore the 114-year-old structure, the project has to be financed by commercial borrowing. Ameco aims to repay the debt by selling off foreshore sections in their ownership for development.

Planning consent for waterside apartments plus an 80-bedroom hotel at the adjacent Mumbles headland was granted by Swansea Council last June. The hotel is the scheme's second phase.

A spokesman for Ameco said: "We're currently in discussion with agents in the leisure industry. At present, the favoured options are resort themes with either a health spa or casino to maximise year-round occupancy rates.

"Possible specialist operators have been identified but matters are at a very early stage."

He added that in the coming weeks Ameco's office would move from by the pier to the nearby Big Apple car park.

"This is purely to give contractors access to the existing foreshore facilities and is not the beginning of the hotel scheme," said the Ameco spokesman.

The foreshore plans include a pedestrian boardwalk from the pier to the inshore lifeboat station — and eventually to Knab Rock.

richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk