AceShowbiz - Animal-loving Sir Paul McCartney is the latest star to back an anti-whaling campaign urging the Norwegian government not to lift a ban on commercial hunting. Leona Lewis has already teamed up with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) to plead with officials in the Scandinavian country not to back a proposal which would effectively allow the slaughter of up to 1,400 whales next year.

And now McCartney has backed the drive - calling on the Norwegian government to "protect" the sea-faring mammals. He says, "It's time to end the cruel slaughter of whales and leave these magnificent creatures alone. In the 21st century how can we even contemplate killing whales - or any animal - in such barbaric ways? Governments should act on their responsibilities and protect these beautiful creatures."

"The best future for our relationship with whales is watching, not hunting."