AN INITIATIVE to teach compassion to young people and work to protect animals is being supported by the MP for Meon Valley.

Flick Drummond has offered her support to the RSPCA's Generation Kind project, the charity’s biggest ever education and prevention programme.

Research by the charity revealed that nearly a quarter of school children aged 10-18 have witnessed animal cruelty and neglect on social media.

Ms Drummond attended the RSPCA’s recent event at the House of Commons to hear more about the charity’s work.

She said: "This a big initiative addressing a real problem area of animal abuse posted on online and I’m very happy to support Generation Kind.

“It’s incredibly sad young children are being exposed to animal suffering online in ways previous generations have simply not experienced.

“We all have a duty to raise the next generation to be kind and compassionate to animals and I will continue to work closely with the RSPCA to help improve standards of animal welfare in the Meon Valley and across the UK.”