Copeland MP Trudy Harrison's bid to ban wild animals in circuses has taken a step forward.

The issue was raised as a Private Member's Bill in Whitehall last year and on Tuesday it received cross-party approval, which means it will progress to the bill committee stage.

The bill would mean that circus operators in England would no longer be able to use wild animals such as reindeer, zebras and camels as part of a travelling circus.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Mrs Harrison said: "Making wild animals travel in crates and perform unnatural tasks for our amusement does not have my support and nor does it have the support of the public.

"As world leaders in animal welfare, we are strengthening our position as animal protectors.

"The bill follows a long list of other protections making progress in the House, including making CCTV mandatory in slaughterhouses, improving puppy welfare and bringing about one of the world’s toughest bans on ivory sales.

"Prison sentences for animal abusers are being increased and I look forward to a ban on the live export of animals for slaughter when we leave the EU."

MPs also debated the difference between conditions a wild animal experiences on the road and during performances compared to those of an animal in a conservation park or zoo.

"These animals can be enclosed in areas reflecting their native environment, where the public benefit from gaining knowledge and where they will therefore be better able to support the work of breeding programmes and wider conservation," Mrs Harrison said.

And she described the bird displays experienced at a recent Muncaster Castle VisitBritain event to encourage the visitor economy in Copeland.

"These experiences capture our imagination and dazzle, while also teaching us about natural habits, abilities and vulnerabilities. These opportunities and organisations have my full support."

She added: "The ban in this bill would not be possible without the vast amount of work carried out by the DEFRA team, officials and organisations such as the RSPCA, all of whom have got us this far."

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: "We really welcome the Government introducing a bill to ban the outdated practice of using wild animals in circuses.

"We’ve campaigned against having wild animals in circuses for many years.

"They have complex needs that cannot be properly met in a circus environment.

"It’s high time keeping wild animals in circuses is consigned to the history books and we look forward to the day that it is banned for good in England."