SENSITIVE students were so appalled to learn about the horrific conditions on Chinese bear farms, they held their own special fundraiser.

The youngsters (pictured) — from many of South Devon's colleges — were educated about the plight of Asiatic black bears during a special seminar.

Animals Asia representative Shirley Alexon was invited to talk with the pupils as part of a specialised course at South Devon College.

After the talk, during a two-hour lunchbreak, the students raised in excess of £130 by selling cakes and holding a raffle.

Shirley said: "It is estimated that 7,000 farmed bears are kept in tiny metal cages the size of their own bodies for more than 25 years while bile is extracted daily through catheters deep in their gall bladders."

For years the Animals Asia Foundation has campaigned for the closure of such farms in China, having rescued more than 300 bears so far.

Lara Simpson, the charities UK office manager, said: "We are delighted to hear that we can count on South Devon College students' support.

"We can only achieve our goal of ending such barbaric acts of animal cruelty with the help of people like them."