NOT everybody will be happy at the news that a second branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken has opened in Kidderminster (“Eatery means food fans can double up”, Shuttle, February 18).

Quite apart from the contribution such junk food establishments make to the problem of obesity, it’s also important to consider the suffering of the chickens, whose corpses are sold by KFC.

The vast majority of the 850 million chickens consumed annually in this country are reared in the most appalling factory farm conditions, before being slaughtered, often by very cruel methods, at just a small fraction of their natural lifespan.

There is absolutely no need for all this suffering or for any creature to be reared and slaughtered for human consumption, as we can live perfectly well on a diet free from animal products, which would also benefit the environment and our own health.

More information can be found in the campaigns section of the Animal Aid website at www.animalaid.org.uk

Jane Hargreaves

Bewdley Road

Stourport