VIVA!'S new investigation reveals that heavily pregnant animals are routinely sent to slaughterhouses.

Each is goaded into the abattoir, stunned and hoisted up by one leg before having her throat cut. If the stun fails to work - which occurs frequently - she will bleed to death.

Her unborn babies are cut from the womb and literally thrown away - even when fully formed and capable of independent life.

If you'd like to help, please consider going vegetarian. Refusing to eat meat tells farmers and politicians that you are sick of this brutality and determined to bring about change. For free information on going veggie, you can contact Viva! at 12 Queen Square, Brighton BN1 3FD; tel: 01273 777688.

MISS LAURA MILLER.