I WOULD like to ask Warrington North MP Helen Jones to support our campaign to ban wild animal acts in travelling circuses.

A recent scientific study concluded that circuses fail to provide some of the most basic welfare needs of wild animals, such as space and social groups. It is widely recognised that only a ban can protect these animals, which currently includes lions, tigers, elephants, camels, zebras and others.

In 2009, a secret camera concealed inside the elephant tent at the Great British Circus filmed elephants being hit in the face with a metal hook, a broom and a pitchfork.

A CAPS undercover investigation found elephants at the same circus were chained for up to 11 hours a day.

Animal welfare minister Lord Henley is currently deciding on the future for wild animals in circuses. A DEFRA public consultation earlier this year found that 94.5 per cent of respondents supported a ban on the use of wild animals in this way.

A total of 138 MPs have now signed an early day motion calling for a ban on wild animal acts in circuses. Mrs Jones has unfortunately not yet signed the motion.

I urge her to sign ‘EDM 403 Wild Animals in Circuses’, and to write to Lord Henley to ask him to introduce the ban.I would also like to ask your readers to write to Mrs Jones and ask her to support a ban.

FIONA PEACOCK The Captive Animals’ Protection Society