FAIRNESS for fish.

Although we thoroughly enjoyed the Five Valleys Rotary Fireworks last Monday, the great atmosphere was somewhat spoilt by distressing scenes of animal cruelty.

We were shocked that goldfish were being given away in buckets and bags as prizes at fairground stalls to people who did not appear to be responsible enough to care for them.

For example, we witnessed young men swinging the goldfish in the buckets, which would cause them considerable damage.

We also saw children under the age of 16 running around with goldfish in bags.

We appreciate that these incidents are reasonably insignificant compared to other types of animal cruelty such as hunting endangered species but we still feel it is disgraceful that in our modern society we still allow living creatures to be given away as prizes to people who are not necessarily demonstrating that they are responsible enough to care for them.

We do however understand that some goldfish given away as prizes go to safe and loving homes.

Hannah Evill, 15

Rosanna Russell, 14

Jozef Russell, 12

Stroud