MANY readers will be aware that this month is Breast Cancer Awareness month, with many cancer charities holding fundraising events. They may not be aware that money raised by certain charities will be used to torture animals in cruel and useless experiments.

More than 290,000 animals were hurt and killed in cancer research last year in Britain, and millions of pounds donated by caring individuals was used to fund this suffering.

Just as we should not forget about women living with breast cancer, so people should not forget about animals languishing in laboratories.

The continued use of animals as disposable research tools is old fashioned rather than scientific and, perhaps as importantly, degrades human beings.

Readers who would like to donate to cruelty-free charities can write to PETA for a free health charities guide.

CLAIRE FLETCHER, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PO Box 3169, London SW18 4WJ.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.