Hundreds of animal rights protesters marched into Oxford causing traffic chaos after they were banned from demonstrating in West Oxfordshire.

A five-mile exclusion zone imposed around Witney stopped them holding a rally in Station Lane, Witney, followed by a march to Hillgrove Farm, the cat breeding centre at Minster Lovell.

Police said they banned Saturday's protest, with the backing of Home Secretary Jack Straw, because of fears that it would clash with Witney's annual carnival which was being held in the same area. Fifteen people were arrested during the day.

After failing to break the police cordon in west Oxfordshire, marchers made for the Oxford University Department of Physiology which they say uses Hillgrove cats.

Traffic came to a standstill as more than 500 marched into the city.

After police blocked their way, some moved to the north Oxford home of physiology professor Colin Blakemore.

But police sealed the end of Northmoor Road - sparking angry scenes as officers told protesters to leave or risk arrest.

Police said the operation had cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Heather James, of Save the Hillgrove Cats, said: "Everyone is more determined than ever to come back."

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