I have followed with interest the protests about the proposed seal enclosure at Brighton Sea Life centre.

cages. No one bats an eyelid.

These beautiful creatures should have the whole sky to fly in. So should the falcons and other birds of prey left tethered to a post day in, day out.

And what about the tanks and tanks of miserable fish in pet shops, homes, restaurants, etc - these should have the free range of the oceans at their disposal, not 18in each way with a crowd of other fish.

Worse still are the tiny tanks in rows, like a filing cabinet, which many reptile and snake breeders keep their animals in (I won't call them pets - prisoners would be more accurate).

And this is to say nothing of pet rabbits and guinea pigs living out their lonely lives in solitary confinement in a poky little hutch at the bottom of the garden.

At least the seals will be in full public view and monitored for proper care all year - which is more than can be said for the other poor creatures I have mentioned.

-Wendy Taylor, Lancing