I AM writing to inform readers about the shocking life of intensively-farmed turkeys.

Turkeys have a zest for living and, treated with respect, they become very friendly.

Wild turkeys are striking, handsome, graceful and intelligent. They would spend their lives foraging and roosting in trees. An adult bird can fly up to 50mph and live up to 10 years.

Turkeys reared for meat are killed between eight and 26 weeks. These birds can barely walk let alone fly.

Viva! has filmed inside nine turkey units up and down the country two of which are the biggest suppliers to supermarkets. The undercover footage shows injured, diseased, dying and dead birds.

Throughout their lives, turkeys may be given antibiotics and other drugs to prevent disease.

Nevertheless diseases are rife on turkey farms.

If turkeys are not killed on the farm by neck dislocation or decapitation, they are crammed into crates and transported to the slaughterhouse.

Inside the killing factories, turkeys are hung upside down in shackles, dipped in an electronically charged water bath and moved round to the neck cutter.

This process can take over six minutes during which time the turkey is terrified and still alive.

Next Christmas, please think about turkeys and go meat free.

For a free veggie recipe pack call Viva! on: 01273 777688 or write to 12 Queen square, Brighton BN1 3FD.

KAT MACMILLAN,

Vegetarians International Voice for Animals

12 Queen Square, Brighton BN1 3FD