A Nottinghamshire vet is planning a rescue mission to China to save bears from bile factories.

Bill Bowler, who runs a veterinary surgeons practice in West Bridgford, is trying to raise �3,000 to make the trip to Asia.

He is planning the trip because he is so concerned about black moon bears that are being milked for their bile.

The cruel practice is carried out so the lucrative bile can be sold for use in traditional oriental medicine.

Rescue centre

The bile is removed by inserted long metal catheters which need to be surgically removed from the bears.

Although it is illegal to kill moon bears and export bear bile products, there are reportedly 247 bile farms in China.

Bill has raised �600 towards the cost of his trip.

He will work with the Animals Asia Foundation at a temporary rescue centre there.

The foundation says Chinese doctors agree that bear bile can be easily replaced with herbal and synthetic alternatives.

The only advantage is that the bile is worth more money.