After public pressure surrounding a lion circus performance, Herefordshire Country Fair have decided to cancel the act, which was to have been one of the attractions at the August show.

A petition from Animal Defenders International has had more than 12,000 signatures to date, opposing the lion show at the Country Fair.

The very popular event, which draws huge crowds of people, keen to discover more about life in this rural county, will take place in Caradoc, near Ross-on-Wye, on Sunday, August 2nd. It will feature World War I commemoration, show jumping, fly fishing and terrier racing.

A spokesperson for the fair, said: "There have been careful and thoughtful discussions about the lions at this year's fair amongst our committee members.

For the story in full, see this week's edition of the Ross Gazette.