Turtles banned from nightclub

VANCOUVER (Reuter) - A Canadian nightclub said yesterday it had cancelled its weekly turtle races following complaints that they were both cruel and illegal.

The club said the turtles loved the races in which they were placed at the centre of the dance floor, with Ninja Turtle names taped to their backs, and encouraged to crawl to the outside of a 12ft circle.

Dale Schweighardt, manager of Club Mardi Gras, said the bright lights and rock music appeared to perk up the creatures.