She looked broken and depressed, which is hardly surprising as she has spent virtually her entire life imprisoned in a barren steel cage four feet by five. Meena and Dehra face the same fate once they are no longer cute enough to pose for photos.

The plight of Meena and Dehra would be tragic enough were it in a Third World zoo, but I discovered these tigers at the Great British Circus in East London.

Two years ago, the prospect of such scenes still being acted out today would have been unthinkable. For back then, the Government unequivocally promised to ban most non-domestic animals from circuses for good - including tigers.

Jeff Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Food, Farming and Animal Health, made great play of the Government's determination to end what is widely regarded as a cruel and unnecessary spectacle.

He told the House of Lords' Grand Committee: 'The Government have made it clear that we are committed to banning certain non-domesticated species currently used in circuses, with a regulation coming into force in 2008. That commitment is crystal clear.'

The commitment was so emphatic animal welfare groups hoped that the Government might go even further and ban all animals from circuses, not just exotic ones such as lions, tigers and elephants, but horses and dogs as well.

I was briefed 'off the record' that the Government's determination was unwavering.

But eight weeks ago, Lord Rooker backtracked and surreptitiously let it be known that the Government was no longer interested in a ban. He then went even further and wrote to one animal welfare group saying: 'I do not believe there was ever a commitment to ban wild animal acts in circuses.'

When I tried to question Lord Rooker about the Government's apparent volte face, I was told the Minister was too busy to answer such inquiries.

Understandably, this broken promise has enraged welfare campaigners.

'The Government has abandoned wild animals to a life of boredom, cruelty and depression,' says Tim Phillips, of Animal Defenders International. 'MPs of all parties are furious about this.

The Government should listen, carry out its promise, and ban all animals from circuses.'

Sadly, Meena and Dehra are by no means the only victims of the Government's U-turn. There are currently around 200 animals in Britain's 30 or so remaining circuses.

And while all but ten circuses have dropped live animal acts because of growing public unease, there are at least nine tigers, five lions, ten camels, five zebras, four llamas and an elephant still being made to perform.