Arrest at animal laboratory demo

The protesters claim there are different ways to test medicines

One person was arrested during a protest against animal testing at laboratories in a Hampshire town.

Almost 100 campaigners from the Stop Wickham Animal Testing (Swat) group marched through the town on Saturday.

The protesters claim there are different ways to test medicines and other products.

"Some safety testing requires the use of animals where alternative methods do not exist," said a spokesman for Wickham Laboratories.

"Wickham Labs carry out tests on animals including mice, guinea pigs and rabbits at the current time," the spokesman added.

"We currently have departments for microbiology, food services, bio-analysis and toxicology.

"Some safety testing requires the use of animals where alternative methods do not exist, or are not acceptable to national and international regulatory authorities.

"We are proud of the contribution we make to the world around us and paramount to this is the welfare and care of our research animals."