Animal rights campaigners are gathering to celebrate the first anniversary of the closure of Hillgrove cat farm, near Witney.

A year ago, they claimed a massive victory when farmer Chris Brown decided to close the controversial breeding business at Dry Lane, Minster Lovell.

The decision came after years of demonstrations outside his business. There were ugly clashes with police, 350 people were arrested and 21 were jailed.

The policing bill ran to millions of pounds.

Officers will be on stand-by this weekend to monitor demonstrators who may target the farm.

The business operated peacefully for 20 years, but became the scene of pitched battles between animal rights protesters and police, attracting national media attention, and bringing ordinary life in Witney to a standstill. Locals breathed a collective sigh of relief when the last remaining farm in the country to breed cats for scientific experiments closed a year ago today.

The Save the Hillgrove Cats Campaign, spearheaded by Cynthia O'Neill, 62, of Church View, Milton-under-Wychwood, drew support from activists across the country. They demanded the cattery's closure, claiming the business was cruel.

Today, Hillgrove is still home to Mr Brown and his wife, Katherine, who continue to run it as an arable and beef farm.

A year on, Mr Brown said he had no regrets about breeding cats, despite the personal attacks that ensued.

Mr Brown said: "I don't regret starting up. I regret that we closed. It was a loss for medical research in this country." Mr Brown had begun cat breeding in response to a plea from the Medical Research Council for germ-free cats. He still believes the cattery's closure was a blow for long-term interests of animals.

He said: "Life is quieter. But I'm not grateful that we are no longer supporting veterinary medicine."

Linking with the anniversary of the farm's closure, Mrs O'Neill is to launch her account of the campaign.

Hillgrove: The True Story, tracks her leading role during the campaign.

She said: "To mark the first anniversary of the Hillgrove victory, friends will gather at 10am tomorrow to remember, ponder and pray that vivisection will be abolished."