A circus family told how they received hate mail and a letter bomb following a horrific accident with a tiger.

They have also talked about the "amazing recovery" of animal trainer Richard Chipperfield, 31, who was savaged by the tiger, Arnie, during a routine training session.

Richard, 31, is still undergoing therapy in America after a series of lifesaving operations.

His aunt, Sally Clubb, spoke from the Chipperfield circus headquarters at Heythrop, near Chipping Norton, about the family's ordeal.

As reported in the Oxford Mail two months ago, They were sent a letter bomb from animal rights activists because Arnie the tiger had been put down. Mrs Clubb said: "The army bomb disposal people were called in and took it away to defuse it."

She said Richard was now swimming and riding horses.

"But we have also had hate mail. It's not the sort of thing you want when you have had an accident like Richard's."

Richard's father "Dickie" Chipperfield has also condemned the death threats. He is with his son at their temporary home in Florida helping him pull through the trauma of the near fatal accident 11 months ago.

The 40-stone tiger, reared by Richard since a cub, bit into his skull and was shot by brother Graham at a circus ring training session.

Sally has spoken to Richard on the 'phone several times and receives faxes regularly about his recovery.

She said: "It is amazing. He

"Whether he will go back into the ring or not we shall have to wait and see. Although his father thinks he will, I think his mother Janet is not keen on it."

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