Party promises voice for animals

Mr Ball said society's treatment of animals was a "moral blind spot"

Voters in the European Parliament election have the chance to give a voice to the voiceless, the Animals Count party has said.

The party, which is standing in the East of England, wants to introduce a health service for pets and government funding for animal rescue services.

Leader Jasmijn de Boo said she hoped voters' anger at mainstream politicians would benefit smaller groups like hers.

Ms de Boo has been campaigning with EastEnders star Nicholas Ball.

The actor, who played Terry Bates in the soap and the lead role in 1970s detective series Hazell, said he was supporting the party because the "abandonment of animals by society represents a moral blind spot".

Ms de Boo said the party had delivered some 300,000 leaflets in the East of England, and hoped the positive reception she had received on the doorstep would translate into votes.

"It's difficult to predict, but I think we are going to do quite well because people are disgusted with the bigger parties," she said.

"It all depends on whether people decide to go out and vote at all."