A youngster from Wrington is preparing to cycle eight miles to raise funds for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

Lailah Farler, eight, became upset after reading about bear baiting for entertainment in other countries.

In rural Pakistan, up to 2,000 spectators watched a tethered and clawless bear be set upon by trained fighting dogs despite baiting being banned by the Pakistan Wildlife Act.

WSPA is working hard to permanently stop what it believes is one of the world's most savage blood sports.

The brutal but lucrative contests are organised by powerful local landlords who own and train the dogs and then pay the bear owners, Kalanders, to bring them to fight.

Young Lailah was so distressed after reading about baiting she told her mum Sarah, 29, she wanted to do something to help WSPA and its aims.

She searched the internet to find out about fundraising and decided the best way she could help was on her bike.

The Churchill School pupil will ride the Strawberry Line from Congresbury to Axbridge, a distance of eight miles.

She plans to ride at the end of July with the support of her mum and step dad Jantzen Smith, sisters Iris, three, and Enya, four months, step sister Paige, 16, and grandparents Sandra and Ben Ambler.

Lailah's mum, a support practitioner, said she is proud of her daughter's passion and urged people to sponsor her.

She said: "After learning about the bear baiting for entertainment that the WSPA campaign is trying to stop she was very sad and felt very passionate about raising money to help.

"Off her own back she has contacted the WSPA and found out about fundraising and decided to do a sponsored bike ride of eight miles.

"This is the first time she has done anything like this and she has been out practising every night with her step dad.

"It is going to be a challenge for her, as eight miles is a long way for her but I am sure she will achieve her goal.

"I am very proud of her passion and persistence and hope she achieves her target of £100 or even more, as she is already half way there.

"I think in the current climate she is a breath of fresh air and feel she deserves the recognition."

WSPA's vision is of a world where animal welfare matters and animal cruelty ends. It has