Politicians have been bombarded with letters and videos condemning their decision to lift a ban on circuses with animals on council-owned land in Castle Point.

The literature, from the Captive Animals Protection Society, has persuaded one councillor against the move, which has been backed by the council's community services committee.

It is due to be debated further by the full council later.

Dave Blackwell, lead councillor for leisure, said: "I have received a video from the Captive Animals' Protection Society and some of the things it shows are very disturbing.

"I was originally in favour because I was thinking of gymkhanas but they are not the same. I will be voting against it. There are plenty of excellent circuses about that don't have animals."

However, Castle Point mayor Charles Smith supports relaxing the rules to allow the circuses into the area and he has been contacted by the Great British Circus, currently in Southend Road, Rochford.

He said: "They contacted me to see if councillors wanted to visit and see how animals are looked after there."

Martin Lacey, ringmaster at the Great British Circus, said: "In the last 150 years there have only been five prosecutions of cruelty to animals in circuses.

"There have been more cases of people being cruel to their pets."

Published Friday August 16, 2002

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