WHEN Emilia Downes (9) of Cheriton Bishop, heard about the plight of the 10,000 bears across Asia who spend their lives in tiny cages, having their pancreatic bile harvested for absurd Chinese "medicine" practices, she felt she had to help the bears.

Animals Asia is a charity which was founded in 1998 to rescue these bears.

The charity has so far rescued more than 600 bears, which now live in Animal Asia’s award-winning rescue sanctuaries in China and Vietnam.

Animals Asia is working with the Vietnamese and Chinese governments to end bear bile farming for good.

Emilia set up a plant stall outside the gates of her family home in Cheriton Bishop to raise funds to help Animals Asia end this horrifically cruel abuse of bears. So far, she has raised nearly £100.

If you wish to donate, contact via the Crediton Courier, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or email: [email protected] .