CIRCUS trainer Mary Chipperfield has been arrested over allegations of animal cruelty.

The world-famous trainer, 60, based at Chipperfields' winter headquarters near Chipping Norton, arrived at a police station with her solicitor near her farm in Hampshire.

She is believed to have been questioned under caution about a series of animal cruelty charges and was released last night.

They relate to allegations that she apparently kicked and whipped a camel with a lea- ther belt after it refused to move. The scene was secretly filmed by the charity Animal Defenders.

In another scene, she allegedly pushed and kicked a baby chimp into a tiny carrying box.

A Hampshire police spokesman confirmed today: "A 60-year-old woman from Stockbridge, Hampshire, voluntarily attended Whitchurch police station in connection with an inquiry into allegations of cruelty to animals.

"She was given police bail until March 31 to enable further inquiries to be made."

Last week, Chipperfields' circus worker Nigel Wesson had his arm bitten off by a tiger. Mr Wesson, 32, was reaching into the animal's cage when it lunged at him.

The victim slumped screaming to the ground after the 500lb four-year-old Bengal tiger ran off with the severed limb.

Mr Wesson is recovering at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

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