A WOMAN from Ludlow is hoping to start fund raising to save the lives of animals that she says are often facing a grim future.

Jennifer Leyton-Purrier, a former Ludlow town councillor and owner of a hair salon in the town, was spurred into action after hearing stories of animals in zoos in Germany facing the prospect of having to be put down.

She is initially planning to start locally by supporting the West Midland Safari Park but hopes to extend this to cover the country and perhaps make it global.

“I have had many happy days at the Safari Park and had hoped to take my granddaughter later this year although this is now looking sadly less likely,” said Ms Leyton-Purrier.

The initiative will be called ‘Go Safari Go’ and hopes to launch a website in the near future.

“Zoos and safari parks provide a lot of pleasure to many people, but they also do vital work in saving endangered and rare species,” Ms Leyton-Purrier added.

“But they have high running costs feeding and caring for the animals and are dependent upon the money that comes from visitors and this has dried up.

“It would be awful if this resulted in these magnificent animals being put down.”