AN animal welfare charity is urging the University of Reading to end pheasant shooting on its grounds.

The League Against Cruel Sports (Lacs) sent a letter to Vice Chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort, seeking a commitment from the university to end shooting at Hall Farm, Aborfield, when its game bird shooting lease expires in February.

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The plea comes a fortnight ahead of the pheasant shooting season opening on Tuesday October 1 – currently permitted on the university’s grounds under the present shooting lease.

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Nick Weston, Head of Campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “Large numbers of factory-farmed pheasants have been released on the University of Reading’s land purely to be shot for ‘sport’ when the shooting season opens in a fortnight.

“Students and alumni will be shocked to hear this is happening at their university and no doubt consternation will grow if the university doesn’t act quickly to end it."

The university explained it is "reviewing" this agreement "following discussions within the University community and external groups".

A University of Reading spokesperson said: "The University of Reading has two large farms to support its work as one of the world's leading centres for research and teaching in agriculture, environment, food and health.

"Some limited shooting is allowed to take place on our farms, as part of the day-to-day management and use of our agricultural land.

"We have an agreement with an external group, which keeps birds in some of our woodland and organises shoots.

"We are currently reviewing this agreement, which is due to expire in February 2020.

"We welcome discussion about how we work, and look forward to continue talking about this issue with our community and others in a constructive way."