I'M SURE many readers are shocked that Belper Town Council is happy to allow controversial animal circuses on public land.

It says it will only do this if the circus complies with RSPCA guidelines, but the RSPCA, along with organisations such as our own, are totally opposed to using animals in circuses and have called for a national ban. So where does this leave the council?

Over 200 councils in the UK have already made a stand and stopped animal circuses using their land. They have recognised that a travelling circus is a throwback to an age when people cared little about animal welfare.

Bristol University scientists recently concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that the needs of wild animals can be met in circuses as "neither natural environment nor much natural behaviour can be recreated".

No animal, wild or domestic, should be subjected to constant travelling and confinement.

Craig Redmond

The Captive Animals' Protection Society,

Manchester.