AN animal welfare charity is calling on tour operators to discourage tourist from going on elephant treks following the tragic death Gareth Crowe in Thailand.

The 36-year-old was on holiday with his family, who are from Linwood, when he was killed by a marauding elephant on the holiday island of Koh Samui.

He was thrown from the elephant's back along with his step daughter Eilidh Hughes who escaped with minor injuries.

The tragedy has prompted People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) to call on the tourism industry to take action.

Yvonne Taylor, Peta's senior manager of corporate projects, wants the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) to place elephant trekking on its list of "unacceptable and discouraged practices".

She said: "It is time for Abta to look out for elephants and the well-being of travellers unknowingly putting themselves at risk of serious injury or death."

An Abta spokesman said the association was "very saddened" by the tragedy, adding: "We are committed to working with our destination partners to improve animal welfare standards."

An elephant handler has been charged in connection with the tragedy that led to Gareth's death.

Friends of Mr Crowe, who is originally from Dunoon, have raised thousands of pounds to help the family in their hour of need.

They set up a crowdfunding page in his name and have raised more than £9,000 to help bring him home and give him "a good send off".