ANIMAL rights activists in Evesham accused of harassment have vowed to continue to fight for their cause.

A total of five people giving the same address in the town have had writs filed against them by Japanese firms Daiichi Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, Eisai Ltd, and Sankyo Pharma UK Ltd.

A High Court judge is due to decide today on whether to pass injunctions on Polly Cooper, Greg and Natasha Avery, Heather James, and Joseph Dawson.

But whatever the decision the group has said it will carry on.

"No injunction is going to make a blind bit of difference," said Miss Cooper.

"The law cannot stop compassionate people doing what they believe is right, and that it is stop people using innocent animals for research.

"The companies say we are harassing them, and they don't want anyone to protest against them. But regardless of what action they take the phone calls and demonstrations will not stop."

The five protesters are all members of the Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC) group, which has a branch in Boat Lane, Evesham.

SHAC aims to stop the work of Huntington Life Sciences (HLS), believed to be Europe's largest contract animal testing laboratory.

Animal rights groups claim Daiichi, Eisai and Sankyo are all customers of HLS and pay the firm to carry out research.

"Anyone who is a customer of HLS is a target," added Miss Cooper.

"There are numerous angles we can come at HLS from, from top scientists at the lab to directors to sales reps all over the world. If we hit them hard enough they will fold.

"Just this week, for example, Huntington has lost 68 suppliers and our strength has played an instrumental part in that.

"People don't seem to realise just how these animals suffer.

"Huntington has been exposed in the past for punching beagle puppies in the face and carrying out experiments which involve poisoning animals with household products, food colourings, and sweeteners to name but a few.

"These animals are destined to suffer and die in cruel, useless experiments. A mere injunction is not going to stop us from trying to put an end to that."

None of the companies named, including Huntington Life Sciences, would comment to the Evening News.