A POPULAR Oswestry tourist attraction has taken a stand against blood sports by joining forces with a world-famous animal rights charity.

The British Ironwork Centre (BIC) has teamed up with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to promote the America-based charity’s message in north Shropshire.

Adding to the centre’s growing group of impactful iron sculptures, there is now an anti-bullfighting monument to portray its stance against cruelty to animals.

The BIC is looking to strengthen its link with PETA in the future.

A spokesman for BIC said: “We now have a number of PETA leaflets and informative material available here for you to view whilst visiting us, and we hope to do a lot more with them in the future.

“Inspired by PETA’s work and as part of our dedication to end all forms of violence through educational workshops and programmes, we have created the anti-bullfighting monument.

“This unique monument features the image of a bull in the midst of a fight, showcasing the pain that these creatures have to endure while they are put on display for human entertainment and consumption.

“Designed to promote conversation and to raise better awareness over these issues, the monument not only highlights the negative effects of bullfighting but also the cruelty of all other blood sports.”

As with the famous knife angel monument created and displayed at the centre, BIC chairman and founder, Clive Knowles, wants the anti-bullfighting monument as a teaching point for children and visitors alike.

And those working at the centre hope they will be able to welcome visitors back through its gates again soon.

The spokesman added: “The monument is now on display here at the Ironworks and will form a crucial part of our school trips and visits.

“We are eternally optimistic that our centre will resume a sense of normality soon, allowing us to safely welcome schools here for their free educational trips.

“We host hundreds of schools and youth groups here each year, offering a number of different activities and educational trails tailored to their respective curriculums and age groups.

“All of our school trips are completely free, and we pride ourselves on being the only visitor attraction in the UK to also provide free refreshments for all students and teachers visiting us.

“Of course, for most of 2020 we have been unable to do this, but we are very excited to welcome you all back as soon as it is safe to do so.”

For more information, visit www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk or go to the attraction’s Facebook page.