LOUISE Rogerson was a high-flying Hong Kong city girl a few years ago, but these days she is a little more down to earth and at one with nature.

For the 29-year-old, from Marple Bridge, has swapped a career in fashion for a career in caring for abused bears in China.

And Louise, a former student at Oriel Bank High School, Davenport, has taken up what she feels is a much more worthy position - she is the UK representative for the Animals Asia Foundation, which rescues endangered bears.

A passionate animal-lover, Louise travelled all over Asia, where she was horrified by the cruelty she saw.

The bears are kept in captivity by farmers and 'milked' through metal catheters for their bile, known as liquid gold, which is used as a traditional Chinese medicine.

The captured bears are kept in tiny cages where they have had their claws pulled out, had their teeth cut back, and are scarred from the restrictive bars.

Louise said: "They were in a really bad condition when I saw them. They were banging and rocking against the cages.

"It was overwhelming. I couldn't stop crying for hours."

When Louise saw the cruelty inflicted on the bears at a rescue centre in the Sichuan province, she knew she had to do something.

Louise got involved by contacting Jill Robinson, the charity's founder, to see what see could do to help.

Animals Asia Foundation pay the farmers to free the bears. It then begins the painstakingly slow process of rehabilitation.

Louise, said: "We give them nutritious food, along with some treats like honey and mango. Then we operate to remove the catheters.

"And then they can be allowed out to play. Some have never even walked on grass before, but when they are well looked after they play with each other like naughty children. It is brilliant to see.

"They are very forgiving creatures, but they don't forget about their experiences. That is why I want to see bear farming ended in my lifetime."

Animals Asia Foundation does not receive government funding and relies on public donations gathered on its website at www.animalsasia.org or by writing to Animals Asia Foundation, PO Box 5713, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 6QT.