I WOULD like to ask Ben Bradshaw MP 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, like space and social groups.

It is widely recognised that only a ban can protect these animals, who include lions, tigers, an elephant, camels, zebras and others.

In 2009, a secret camera 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 Captive Animals' Protection Society undercover investigation found that elephants at the same circus were chained for up to 11 hours a day.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Henley is deciding on the future of 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.

So far 138 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion calling for a ban on wild animal acts in circuses.

I urge Mr Bradshaw to sign the EDM, and also to write to Lord Henley and ask him to introduce the ban without further delay.

Fiona Peacock

The Captive Animals' Protection Society, Manchester