Cat farm campaigners are planning a private prosecution against Oxfordshire breeder Chris Brown, who breeds cats for scientific research.

Protesters who want Hillgrove Farm at Minster Lovell, near Witney, shut down, also called for a European Commission investigation into the business, which breeds cats for medical research.

The latest allegations were brought at a press conference in Witney where Save the Hillgrove Cats organisers Greg and Heather James produced a breeding record going back to 1989. The 46-page document lists mothers, kittens, dates of birth, weights and where they were despatched to.

Some went to university laboratories in Bristol and Liverpool while others were sent to France and Belgium.

"These records show that suffering is an everyday event at Hillgrove," said Mrs James. "Conditions are appalling and inhumane. "It is a factory farm. The cages are overcrowded, mothers are not given breaks between litters and some kittens are sold before they are weaned. Some of them are eaten by their own mothers because of the stress." The claims were backed by three speakers, Dr Roger Mugford, an animal behaviourist, Maureen Hutchison, vet advisor for the Cat Action Trust, and former model Celia Hammond who runs a cat rescue trust.

"The litter survival rates are abysmal," said Dr Mugford. Ms Hammond said: "If you have to raise laboratory animals, this is not the way to do it."

The campaign is using solicitors to bring a private prosecution against Mr Brown under the 1911 Protection of Animals Acts, based on the documents and on statements by two ex-workers. They have also issued a formal complaint to the European Commission.

But the 62-year-old farmer dismissed allegations against conditions at the farm as "a load of rubbish", saying Home Office and RSPCA inspectors were perfectly satisfied.

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