Lucia's nude London protest in support of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (From Yeovil Express)

Lucia's nude London protest in support of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

7:00pm Tuesday 9th June 2009 in News By Steve Sowden

YEOVIL actress Lucia Barber sat on a flight of stairs near St Paul’s Cathedral in London to protest against the use of bearskins to make the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps.

Lucia, 22, is pictured nude and holding a sign reading “1 Cap= 1 Bear. MoD, Go Fur-Free as she protested alongside 100 “bloodied” supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Europe who were wearing nothing but bear masks.

The demonstration took place just last weekend and comes just a few days before the Queen’s Birthday Parade.

PETA is calling on the Queen and the MoD to give the bears the best present of all – their lives.

But why is Lucia happy to bare all for bears?

A PETA spokesman said: "Many of the bears killed for The Queen's Guards' caps suffer greatly and are shot several times before they die.

"Some escape before eventually bleeding to death. When mother bears are killed, orphaned cubs are left behind to starve.

"The Ministry of Defence have pledged to switch to faux fur but have yet to choose one of the many luxurious synthetics available to them, despite Britons' overwhelming opposition to fur."

And Lucia said: "I'll gladly bare my skin if it will help save bears' skins. As the Queen celebrates her birthday in royal style, many black bears won't live to see another birthday."