ABOUT 100 animal rights protestors took to the streets on Saturday to campaign against an extension to a research laboratory.
They met at the cenotaph in the centre of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, at noon, before marching to the premises of Covance, in Otley Road.
The number of police officers matched the number of protestors, who spent two hours outside the gates of the laboratory before they dispersed.
North Yorkshire Police, who were joined by mounted officers from the West Yorkshire force, said the protest was peaceful, and no arrests were made.
Work has just started on an £18m extension to the Covance site. It will add an 80,000sq ft block to its medical research facilities, which investigate therapies for Aids, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cancer, malaria and cystic fibrosis.
It is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
A spokesman for Covance totally rejected claims of inhumane animal testing at the site.
He said: "As we keep saying, if people want to protest, they are within their rights. I believe they are totally wrong."
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