AN Evesham woman has said she is prepared to wage a campaign against organisers of the Mop Fair because gold fish were being given away in bags as prizes.

Lynn Sawyer, who lives in the town centre where the fair is traditionally set up, will be demonstrating along with others in Merstow Green this evening in protest of the treatment of the fish, which she claimed were subject to ‘grotesque cruelty’.

She said: “These fish have fully functioning nervous systems, just as we do, and are being subjected to vibrations and bright lights.

“This is an act of grotesque cruelty, and for what? Would anyone give a damn if these gold fish were not sold? I don’t think so.

“I would like to see no live animals sold at all, or given away as prizes. If you take on an animal, you should take on some responsibility for it as well.

“We are prepared to hold a campaign against the fair if they continue to perpetrate this cruelty.”

Organiser of the Mop Fair, Edward Danter, explained: “I think there are two stalls which are giving gold fish away as prizes.

“It’s an old tradition.

“As far as I’m aware it’s not illegal for people to give gold fish away, only that they must not be given to anyone under the age of 16 unless they’re accompanied by an adult.”

Mrs Sawyer has now taken her complaints to Evesham Town Council.

Town clerk, Frank Green, said: “This is a new issue for us, and I can only speak to councillors about it at the next available opportunity.

“Depending on what the councillor’s views are, I can then write to Mr Danter informing him of our position. But we can only make a request.

“We take a fee from the fair, but have no power over it.”