A VET is to talk about her recent trip to China which was undertaken to help end the practice of farming bears for their bile.

Tracey Manning, from Hook Veterinary Centre, in Bell Meadow Road, Hook, spent 12 days in central China to help with the charity Animals Asia.

She visited the city of Chengdu, to see the charity’s sanctuary for rescued bears, and a farm in nearby Nanning, where a farmer is working with the charity to provide a humane future for his 130 bears.

Miss Manning assisted in pain-relieving operations at the farm for bears who had been kept in solitary confinement for many years.

She will give an illustrated talk about her July trip at St John’s Church Centre, in Fleet Road, Hartley Wintney, on Saturday, November 22.

The vet said: “I have experienced first-hand how I am able to spread the word to so many potentially effective people who want to be of assistance in this cause to end bear bile farming. It is a disgusting, cruel activity, which has no place in Earth’s 21st Century.”

The practice of farming bears for their bile has existed in China for many years as part of production of traditional medicines.

Miss Manning previously told The Gazette that attitudes towards animal cruelty are changing in China, and that the farmer who approached Animals Asia did so after pressure from his relatives.

The talk, which will raise money for the charity, will start at 7.15pm and will include wine, canapés, a raffle and a small auction. For tickets, call 01579 347148.