Animal lovers will be staging a protest next week to remonstrate against the presence of the Circo Fantasy where they believe defenceless creatures were forced into an unnatural and abusive life.

The symbolic walk, organised by 20 animal rights organisations, will serve as a plea to authorities to stop the circus from performing in Malta.

"In 2006, Circo Fantasy was found guilty by the Italian authorities of not conforming to animal welfare regulations," the organisations said.

"Circuses force animals, often through painful and punitive methods, to perform tricks that are contradictory to their innate instincts and behaviour," Annalise Falzon, from the Circus Animal Rights Coalition, said.

The coalition has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the suffering of circus animals. Entitled Animal Circus Animal Cruelty, the campaign will culminate in the protest on December 10. Protesters will meet at City Gate, Valletta, at 6 p.m. and walk to Blata l-Bajda where the Circo Fantasy will be set up.

Ms Falzon said that, over the past years, the coalition had raised 4,500 signatures on a petition against the use of animals in shows.

JR Productions, the promoters, insist that the circus abides by the necessary EU animal and veterinary regulations.