TORTURED bears in China are a little closer to being released from their miserable existence, thanks to £500 raised by a generous Kidderminster woman.

But Vivienne Shakespeare-Jones, founder of Wyre Forest Moon Bear Rescue, still needs to collect more funds to help the bears escape lives of cruelty.

She said: "The aim is to free them by 2008. It costs £5,000 to free one - it would be brilliant if I could just free a bear.

"I started collecting in October and did things like harvest suppers, coffee mornings, and street collections and raised about £300."

The retired chef, who was featured at the Shuttle/Times and News in January, added: "I'm over the moon because I had more than 50 calls from people wanting to help or donate.

"People told me how upset they were when they saw the bears on The Really Wild Show on BBC1."

Mrs Shakespeare-Jones, 63, of the town's Longfellow Green, also raised more than £200 through a street collection in Kidderminster town centre.

She said: "I just want to say thank you to Wyre Forest District Council for the street licence and to my friend Tony for the endless cups of tea."

Moon bears have golden crescent markings on their chests and about 7,000 are imprisoned in metal cages at farms across China and milked daily for their bile, which is used for medicinal purposes.

Once freed, the bears will be taken on by Hong-Kong-based Animals Asia Foundation, established by Jill Robinson in 1993.

Foundation spokesman Dave Neale said: "Mrs Shakespeare-Jones's work in Kidderminster is vital to the success of the rescue.

"She will be raising awareness and vital funds which will allow us to carry out the rescue of the bears, close down bear farms forever, and to develop more sanctuaries in China."

The foundation has agreed to pay Chinese farmers compensation to ensure none of the bears are slaughtered and to help them move into alternative areas of employment.

There is now a permanent sanctuary in Chengdu waiting to re-home more bears.

For more information ring Mrs Shakespeare-Jones on 01562 746539 or the foundation on 0870 241 3723.