I’M a big fan of the Severn Valley Railway and appreciate the importance of raising funds to safeguard its long-term future.

However, I think it is very sad that the SVR chose to do this by means of a raceday at Worcester Racecourse (“Raceday nets £35,000 for railway trust”, Shuttle, July 30) Thirty two horses have died or been put to death at Worcester Racecourse in the past five years, after suffering appalling injuries, and last year the course proved to be the third most dangerous for horses in the country, with eight killed there.

Nationwide, hundreds of horses lose their lives on racecourses every year and many thousands are slaughtered annually in the UK and Ireland, after failing to make the grade as racers or when their racing days are over.

Not something anyone should be supporting, let alone a respectable institution such as the Severn Valley Railway.

Jane Hargreaves Bewdley Road Stourport