'The world's favourite animal airline' celebrated 10 years of jetting lions across the globe and raising cash for animal reserves with a special presentation.

Thomsonfly bosses handed a mock cheque for a roaring £2.5 million to highlight the company's on-going commitment to the Born Free Foundation.

The money was raised by passengers and staff during the last decade and the charity bosses said without the Luton-based airline's help they would not have been so successful.

Born Free's Anne Tudor said: "They've been a huge, huge help. We call them the world's favourite animal airline."

The charity was formed by film stars Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna after seeing the plight of animals they had befriended in filming the 1960s classic Born Free.

And it was their son, fellow founder and chief executive, Will Travers, who visited Thomsonfly's plush offices at Wigmore House, Wigmore Lane, to thank the airline for its efforts.

"For a charity like Born Free this is a stunning amount. We are not a big charity," he said.

"This is a truly outstanding achievement. Thomsonfly's support has allowed us to tackle some extraordinary projects that have helped thousands of animals in need."


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