About 200 people, armed with banners and shouting animal rights slogans, made their way through Peterborough's busy city centre as part of an afternoon of protests.

The march and rally was the latest organised by Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC), which has been campaigning against HLS since 1999.

The group wants to shut down Europe's largest animal testing lab, and constantly holds rallies outside the building at Woolley, near Huntingdon.

Organiser Debbie Vincent said the protest was more relevant than ever.

She said: "We want to raise awareness and everyone here is really passionate about what they believe in.

"Hundreds of animals are still tested on every day at HLS. This is absolutely disgusting.

"We can hand out leaflets and raise publicity in the city. We also find that people will join us when they realise what we are doing.

"It's good to hold a protest in Peterborough as it is on HLS's doorstep. There hasn't been one here for a few years."

Police say the march was peaceful, and a police operation ran throughout the day to ensure there was minimal disruption to residents, and to protect the safety of those involved.

The protest started at the Stanley Recreation Park, followed by a march from Church Walk towards Cathedral Square and back to the recreation ground via Brook Street.

A huge banner with the words "Huntingdon Life Sciences – Animal Killers – Close Them Down" was stretched across the front line of the protest group.

Shopper Michael Keighley (47), from Ravensthorpe, Peterborough, said: "I heard the protesters coming from up near the library and they continued to make lots of noise with lots of people looking on."

Superintendent Tom MacKinnon said: "The march was peacefully conducted. No arrests were made."