NO doubt many cat lovers have read the national newspaper reports that Cats Protection -- as it is now called -- is paying Rachel Casey of Southampton University Anthrozoology Institute £250,000 to research how cats think. The report is incorrect.

The true position is that Cats Protection has sponsored her salary as a lecturer in feline behaviour and welfare for a five-year period.

However, as membership secretary of the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde branch, may I assure all our members and supporters that this research is being funded by the headquarters at Horsham.

No money whatsoever goes from any local branch to headquarters. A certain amount comes from them to us and in addition various items "in kind" like carrier bags etc.

Every penny we raise or is donated to our branch is spent here in this area. We are not contributing anything to the research.

If anyone is thinking about leaving money in a will to Cats Protection please be sure to specify that it is for the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde branch. That way it will come to us and be used in this area for the benefit of local cats and kittens.

Josephine Harwood,

Membership secretary,

Moor Park Ave, Bispham.