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Actress Gemma Atkinson has joined a campaign to discourage tourists from taking part in Spain's annual Pamplona Bull Run.

The Casualty beauty has long been a campaigner for animal rights and has now thrown her weight behind a campaign to abolish Spain's traditional bull fights.

The annual Pamplona San Fermin celebrations involves releasing bulls into the streets to chase people across the town, followed by a bloody series of bullfights which will see around six animals killed for each 'show'.

Disgusted: Gemma Atkinson has spoken out against the cruel practice of bullfighting

San Fermin: The annual festival begins on July 6 and involves a run through the streets and multiple bullfights

The new film featuring Atkinson, called Pamplona Running of the Bulls, is designed to inform tourists and discourage them from participating in the bull running and fighting event.

The animal lover said: 'It sickens me that festivals involving the torture and killing of animals, such as the Pamplona Bull Run, are still being promoted as acceptable tourist attractions.

'Contrary to what is often portrayed in the media, there is absolutely nothing macho or brave about abusing and killing animals.'

Animal lover: The actress, who is currently on holiday in Thailand with her boyfriend Olly Foster, has visited an elephant sanctuary

Her comments come as The League Against Cruel Sports has appealed to holiday company STA Travel to end its promotion and package deals to the San Fermin Running of the Bulls festival.

The annual event, which is due to begin on Sunday July 6, will see numerous bulls killed during the festival's daily bull runs and bullfights.

The animal welfare charity is calling on the travel provider to stop supporting the abuse of animals in the name entertainment and tradition after this year's trips, in order to meet with ABTA's Animal Welfare Guidelines.

According to the guidelines, of which STA has signed up to, 'Bullfighting and bull running' are deemed 'unacceptable practice involving animals in cultural events and activities.'

On the run: San Fermin sees daredevils take to the streets to be chased by bulls

However, the student travel company continues to sell packages through its provider TopDeck Travel that support tourist attendance at the Pamplona Bull Run.

The League has contacted STA but is yet to receive a response.

Joe Duckworth, chief executive of the League said: 'Bull running and bullfighting are sickeningly cruel and barbaric practices, and they have no place in a modern society.

Controversial: A growing number of travel companies have refused to endorse Spain's bloody tradition of bullfighting

'Tourism plays a major part in the continuation of bullfighting and the exploitation of the animals, who are simply being abused and killed for entertainment is truly shocking.

'As rightly pointed out by ABTA, travel companies have a responsibility to the welfare of animals in tourism, a responsibility that can no longer be shirked - which is why we want to see 2014 as the last year STA support this abhorrent activity.'

Other travel companies have dropped their promotion of the San Fermin festival in recent years, including Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways as well as Thomas Cook and Brittany Ferries.