KIND-HEARTED Wanstead and Woodford Guardian readers are being asked to help save a 50-year-old elephant from being sold on the streets of Thailand to beg.

Katherine Conner, who tried valiantly with the help of Guardian readers to save baby elephant Babar, is now desperately trying to prevent Seedor Yai which translates as Mr Big from being sold into virtual slavery.

Ms Conner, 24, of Fullers Road, South Woodford, learnt of Seedor Yai's plight two weeks ago.

His Thai owner Phi Gart has found himself in a poor financial position. His wife has just given birth to their first baby and his father has fallen ill.

Ms Conner said: "Phi Gart desperately needs £5,000 to be able to secure Seedor Yai. He has only two options. One is to get the money to be able to keep Seedor Yai, the other is to be forced to sell him and use the money to support his family.

"The Guardian readers did a fantastic job with the save baby Babar campaign, and once again I need their help."

But it is not only about saving Seedor Yai. Your money could help breed a new generation of elephants in Thailand. Ms Conner is also in the process of raising money to build an elephant sanctuary in Thailand.

She said: "We really have to save Seedor Yai. I want to bring him into the sanctuary when it is built to mate with female elephants. That is crucial to what I'm doing."

Ms Conner has begged Phi Gart to wait one month for the money to be raised. She added: "I have to have the money by then or he will have to part with his beloved elephant, knowing that he is being exploited and most probably abused, over-worked and under-fed."

If you can help Seedor Yai, you can send a cheque, made payable to Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary, to Katherine Conner, 45 Fullers Road, South Woodford, London, E18 2QB. State clearly on the back of the cheque that the money is specifically for Seedor Yai.

cstong@london.newsquest.co.uk