Publicity You Can't Buy...

Animal charity Southend Animal Aid isn’t happy with Leigh Town Council’s plans for Easter Monday. J&C Party Pets is set to bring baby rabbits, bottle-fed lambs, baby chickens and a skunk to Leigh Community Centre.

Yeah, I'm a little puzzled at the skunk, too. Not your traditional Easter beastie...

But the charity wants the event cancelled.

What, just for including a non-traditional creature? Harsh!

But no doubt the council will cave in and...

Oh! How refreshing!

However Carole Mulroney, chairman of Leigh Town Council, said it is a fully licensed event - and would go-ahead.

She said: “We have had these zoos before without any problems at all. The organisations who bring the animals are fully licensed by Essex County Council. The animals displayed are never used if there is any sign of stress.

“Southend Animal Aid has got its views. I respect their views, but all of the issues that give them cause for concern are covered.”

And the public agrees:

...others are not sure what all the fuss is about.

Mum-of-two Sherrie Kelly, 36, of Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, said she still plans to visit the zoo when it comes to town. She said: “I’ve been before and the animals always seem quite happy to me.

“I think this idea of a campaign is all a bit over-the-top. It’s all a bit much”

Dad Alex Davidson, 45, of Chapel Street, Leigh, added: “I’m not sure these zoos are a bad thing.

“It all sounds harmless enough to me. I may well go along and have a look with my son.”

Heh! Take that, animal rights nutters!