No to murder on the catwalk

Pop singer Sophie Ellis Bextor appears holding up the bloody carcass of a skinned fox in a new hardhitting advert attacking the fur trade.

The star gave her time for free to appear in the magazine campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

'I think fur is really pathetic when there are so many alternatives,' said the singer, who has had hits with Murder On The Dancefloor and Take Me Home.

'I'm part of a generation that grew up with the "We'd rather go naked than wear fur campaign" and it's something that really struck a chord with me. To me, it felt a very natural thing to do, to be on the side of animals when it came to fur.'

The striking image was taken by Mary McCartney, fashion photographer and daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.

Ellis Bextor's message is in direct contrast to that of Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen. She was labelled a 'blood-sucking freak' by Peta last week for appearing in an advert for mink firm Blackgama.

Andrea Martin, of the British Fur Trade Association, said: 'Fur is back in fashion and more than 400 designers are using it.'