AS a campaigner for animal rights I would like to reply to the article on the "Anthrax hoax" at Blackpool Zoo, about which I am deeply offended.

I continue to be amazed by the utter nonsense that Blackpool Zoo is so fond of dishing out.

Why on earth they would think that any local or national animal rights group would send a hoax anthrax parcel to them beggars belief. The evidence on which they have based their assertion is a note saying "death to the west".

Please could Mr Williams explain the connection?

Mr Williams says he can think of "no possible reason why anyone other than an animal rights group should send this". I suggest he devotes more time to watching the evening news in an attempt to familiarise himself with world events.

I think that it is a very cheap trick to try and use the events of September 11 as some kind of propaganda tool against people who campaign for the rights of animals. I am one of those people, Mr Williams -- I am hiding behind no facade and I find your comments deeply offensive.

Once again it seems you will do anything rather than be forced to discuss the real issues at stake here -- the fact that animals are being abused in your zoo.

Blackpool Zoo operated behind the facade of conservation and education while inflicting pain on animals through electric shock treatment to force them to learn stupid circus tricks.

It is not long ago that you wasted police time by claiming an animal rights group had infiltrated the zoo by jumping off the top of a van.

CCTV and a police helicopter proved you wrong (once again). Please stop all this offensive publicity mongering. It will not deter anyone who cares about animals from campaigning against your zoo.

I would urge anyone reading this letter to think very carefully before visiting this or any zoo -- join the vast majority of the general public who have voted with their feet against animal suffering.

Louise McGettigan, South Street, Lytham.