I’m sure most readers remember Anne, an elderly, arthritic elephant with the Bobby Roberts Circus.

Footage showed Anne being beaten by her groom.

Public outrage meant she was soon rehomed to live out her days away from the constant transportation of circus life.

There are still around 39 wild animals languishing in UK circuses.

These include tigers, lions, snakes, zebras and camels.

Despite public and political support for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, the Government has decided not to protect them.

Please write to your MP and urge them to introduce a ban, because it is the only way to truly protect these animals.

Fiona Peacock, Captive Animals’ Protection Society, Salford.