A TOURIST attraction near Ledbury has cancelled an exotic animals event following online criticism.

Eastnor Castle has today pulled the plug on its Exotic Animals week which was due to get underway next Sunday.

The venue says it took advice from "external agencies" before making the decision.

The event was due to be run by Worcestershire-based Tropical Inc, which is run by Stephen Rowlands who, in 2013, was found guilty of not providing a variety of animals with a suitable habitat.

Many people posting on Eastnor Castle's Facebook page over the past 24 hours had called for the show to be cancelled.

Eastnor Castle said in a statement: "We have made the decision this morning to cancel our Exotic Animals week following feedback posted on our Facebook page.

"The Exotic Animal week has always been very well received at Eastnor and was based around educating our visitors about these animals and highlighting the associated conservation issues they face.

"However, the enjoyment and safety of our visitors is paramount and on advice received from external agencies we have decided to cancel the event.

"We are very sorry to all our visitors who were expecting to attend the Exotic Animal week and anyone who has purchased online tickets will be refunded in full."