AN INDEPENDENT shopkeeper in Darlington has hit back at animal rights activists who protested outside her shop in the town.

On Saturday, up to 12 protestors, including someone dressed up as a giant rabbit, stood outside Ellie's shoe shop, in Skinnergate, with placards because the shop was selling rabbit fur boots.

Yesterday Pam Hall, the shop owner, said she was furious because the protestors had told shoppers she was selling boots made from cat and dog fur.

However, she said the knee-length boots were rabbit and the protest had cost her £1,000 in sales.

Ms Hall said she wanted to set the record straight: "It was out of order.

"I asked them a few times to move away from the window, because they were blocking it and people couldn't see in.

"Quite a few people did come in the shop and say how ridiculous they were being."

Shop worker Michelle Willans said: "It does make me laugh because they are not even vegetarians. It was wrong and there was no need for it."

The activists have threatened to go back this Saturday but Ms Hall said she would sue them if it happened again.

The boots cost almost £130 and have now been removed from the shop's shelves.

A police spokeswoman said officers had spoken to the protestors, but they were not committing an offence at the time.