The wild animals in travelling circuses (Scotland) bill has passed its first stage of approval

A ban on live animals appearing in circuses has been welcomed by an animal rights charity.

The wild animals in travelling circuses (Scotland) bill was proposed by environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham MSP in the Scottish Parliament.

MSPs unanimously voted in support of its general principles.

OneKind has welcomed the stage one vote in support of the legislation, which will see the use of wild animals in travelling circuses banned.

The charity’s policy advisor Libby Anderson said: “After campaigning for so many years for an end to the suffering of wild animals in circuses, I’m delighted to see all political parties coming together in support of this bill.

"However, as the debate made clear there are weaknesses in the bill that must be addressed if we are to have a strong ban.”

The bill will now move onto stage two for detailed consideration and amendments at committee level, and then return to the full parliament for final amendments and approval.

If the bill is passed, it will make Scotland the first country in the UK to implement an outright ban on wild animals in circuses.