AN “incredible" achievement" is how a Caernarfon campaigner has met news of government legislation to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

Linda Joyce Jones has echoed the views of RSPCA Cymru, which welcomed the announcement to protect animal welfare as "momentous."

On Monday (July 8), the Welsh Government announced it would be laying out a bill to end the use of animals in travelling circuses

Linda, who was at the Senedd last week, said: "I simply have no words to express how I feel. It’s incredible what we all have achieved together."

“I always wanted Wales to set the standard. The reality is a generation of children will now grow up being able to see wild animals in their own natural environment, not carted around for people’s entertainment.

"We now need to get all animals banned from circuses and travelling shows."

Lesley Griffiths, Minister for environment, energy and rural affairs, said the “introduction of the bill sends a clear message this Government and the people of Wales believe this practice to be ‘outdated and ethically unacceptable.

"The transient nature of circuses - alongside cramped accommodation and forced training for animals - highlights how inappropriate these settings are for wild animals."

Linda Joyce Jones added: “I launched my petition calling on the Welsh Government to ban wild animals in circuses in Wales on Valentine’s Day, 2017.

“In all honesty I never thought the Welsh Government would ban. But with the unfailing support of "ordinary " people the length and breadth of Cymru, we got past the required number of signs and the Petitions Committee granted us a debate. Then on July 17, 2018 , the then First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones AM committed the Welsh Government to a ban.

I wish my late father was still here, a proud Cofi Welshman that he was, I am sure he would be amazed. “I celebrate my 55th birthday next week, this little campaign of mine started at least three decades before. Thank you to everyone especially Hywel Williams MP and Sian Gwenllian AM.”

RSPCA Cymru is now urging Assembly Members to back the bill and get it put in place soon.

Assistant director for external relations, Claire Lawson said: “This is a momentous day for animal welfare in Wales, and delivers another strong statement as to how society should treat our fellow living creatures.

“We’re absolutely delighted the government has brought this bill forward."