THIRTY-six years ago IFAW was founded to help stop Canadian hunters from the unregulated slaughter of seal pups for their fur.

Last year over 353,000 seals were clubbed and shot, most of them days or weeks old.

Pelts from seal pups between 12 days and one-year-old are in demand for fur coats and hats. There is a growing market in Eastern Europe, Turkey and China. Seal pelts command as much as £24.

In less than four weeks this bloodbath will take place again unless it is stopped.

SHEILA BRENNAN (Mrs), Bombay Street, Blackburn.