Angry traders say the latest protest by animal rights demonstrators cost them thousands of pounds in lost business.

More than 800 protesters converged on Witney on Saturday for a demonstration outside Hillgrove Farm in Dry Lane, where cats are bred for medical research.

Police and Save the Hillgrove Cats Campaigners had reached an agreement to allow a rally outside the farm. In December, the centre of Oxford was disrupted after campaigners abandoned plans to hold a rally in Witney and moved to Oxford.

On Saturday morning, local radio stations were warning people there could be disruption and delays to traffic in Witney. Derek Henderson, of the High Street Henderson Furnishing Centre, said: "I estimate I must have lost at least £4,000. Witney was very quiet and I had customers ringing me up saying they were not going to come in because of the demonstration.

"The police should make the demonstrators park their vehicles miles away and walk to the farm. Instead, they block roads."

Mike Wheeler, of Mike Wheeler Motorcycles, in the High Street, said: "I can't quantify what we lost but it was very quiet for a Saturday. "People are just not coming into town when these protests happen.

"The police should not have the right to close the roads because of the protesters. These roads are meant for everyone." It does not help when the radio is urging people to avoid the town," he said.

Six people were arrested after some demonstrators broke away from the main rally. across fields surrounding Hillgrove Farm.

Story date: Tuesday 23 February

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