A Sussex-based charity is winning the fight to bring an end to the dancing bear trade in India.

International Animal Rescue, which supports the work of Indian animal welfare charity Wildlife SOS, has helped to open a third bear sanctuary in Bhopal, central India.

Charity staff work extensively in the Qalandar region to care for bears who are forced to dance for tourists and has just rescued 15 animals, which will be rehomed in the new sanctuary in Van Vihar.

Chief executive of Uckfield-based International Animal Rescue Alan Knight said: "We are now seeing an exciting breakthrough in our campaign to free the bears.

"Besides the two sanctuaries that we manage in the north and south of India with the help of our partners, starting this third sanctuary in Bhopal proves to the authorities that we mean to bring an end to the dancing bear trade.

"We are also committed to make it a new beginning for the Qalandar people who 'dance' them. Our campaign provides a solution for both animals and people.

"We have also seen a change in attitude among the Qalandar people themselves. Only two weeks ago, bear poachers in the state of Uttar Pradesh tried to sell a young cub to a Qalandar community but the villagers refused to buy it because they knew it was against the law.

"I truly feel there is an end in sight and one day the streets of India will be free of captive bears being tortured for entertainment."

For more information or to support the cause, visit the charity's website at www.iar.org.uk