Carla Lane wants 'cruel" Grand National halted Although she doesn't live much more than a few furlongs away, Carla Lane will assuredly not be cheering on the horses at the Grand National at Aintree this weekend. Indeed, the 75-year-old creator of The Liver Birds and Bread, wants to see the popular annual fixture abolished. "I disapprove of it because I think it's cruel," she says. The animals don't know how dangerous it is, but it is dangerous. I've never campaigned against it, because so many people love it. So many people stuck at home make that their big day. But I hate it as horses usually die in it every year. I don't think we should have events when we know horses will die. I suppose if we made everything as perfect as I would like it, there'd be no fun in people's lives. People may not mind [about the horses dying], but I mind a lot. I don't believe those horses enjoy it at all - all in a pile, scrambling the way they have to so close to each other with a bit in their mouths... it can't be good for them.  She says she changes channels the moment the race begins. When I see the horses lining up for it on TV, that's as far as I go. It upsets me terribly. Modern steeplechase races have an average of six horse deaths per 1,000 horses taking part, but deaths in the Grand National are higher than the average, with six deaths per 439 horses between 2000 and 2010. Still, Aintree officials have worked in conjunction with animal welfare organisations to reduce the severity of some fences and to improve veterinary facilities.