I am writing concerning a issue of animal welfare as I am outraged to learn that the famous military busbies are still made from real bearskin.

Although I appreciate this is an old tradition I feel I speak on behalf for many people when I say it should be stopped.

The Canadian black bears from which these hats are made from suffer agonising deaths from when they are shot or bleed to death in traps and snares.

Often a nursing bear will leave behind young, defenceless cubs which will then starve to death.

Nowadays there are many other lifelike materials that could be used which would look almost identical and save the unnecessary suffering of hundreds of bears.

I am sure many would agree with me when I say I would rather the busbies were from synthetic materials.

JOHANNAH MAXWELL.