ANIMAL cruelty cases fell slightly last year in East Lancashire but investigations into abuse nationally rose by more than ten per cent, the RSPCA has disclosed.

During 2006, the charity was forced to tackle a catalogue of cruelty which ranged from animals left to starve to being beaten and boiled alive.

Nationally, the figures for last year revealed a 10.5 per cent increase in animal cruelty investigations and a rise of 7.6 per cent in animal rescues and collections.

In East Lancashire, which embraces Bury, the number of cases reported last year dropped by one to 69. A total of 99 defendants were reported, a fall of 12 compared to 2005. However, there was a slight rise in the number of people convicted, up one to 38.

In the north, RSPCA inspectors and animal collection officers were involved in 35,636 collections and rescues. A total of 625 convictions for cruelty were secured, 221 of those in the North West.

Despite concerns surrounding the figures, the RSPCA said there were encouraging signs that the new Animal Welfare Act was having a significant impact.

Alan Wolinski, RSPCA manager for the north, said: "Our main purpose in taking people to court is to prevent cruelty in the future. Crucially, courts have the power to ban those convicted of cruelty from keeping animals.

"The new Animal Welfare act obliges courts to explain their reasons if they don't impose a ban. We hope this will focus attention on preventative action, which could save lives."