THE seal-slaughtering season is almost upon us, when seals and their pups will be either shot or bludgeoned to death for their fur.

Last year, more than 240,000 seals were reported clubbed and shot -- most of them babies -- only days or weeks old.

The seal population is now in decline, due to overhunting, a senseless activity for a product that is no longer welcome in our civilised society.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare has launched a Save the Seals emergency fund. For more information or to send a donation please contact Seal Emergency Fund, IFAW, PO Box 138, Moulton House, Pondwood Close, Northampton, NN3 6WB.

MARIE GREENHALGH, Westwood Road, Burnley.