PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has joined a Westminster campaign led by the RSPCA to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

He was one of dozens of Parliamentarians to sign a petition on the issue as the charity revealed that eighteen are still used in the UK today.

Mr Stephenson said: “I’m proud to support the RSPCA in campaigning to bring an end to the use of wild animals in circuses.

"We are a nation of animal lovers, so I find it shocking that this practice is still happening in the UK today. It is time for the Government to take action.”

Ros Clubb, the RSPCA's scientific manager for captive wild animals, said: “Wild animals do not belong in the circus. In 2018, there's simply no excuse for it.”

She added: "We continue to push the Westminster Government to bring in its manifesto promise to ban the outdated practice of using wild animals in circuses in England as we believe these animals cannot be cared for adequately within the current level of regulations.

"Circuses touring with wild animals need to be finally consigned to the history books."