A deal has been struck to keep animal rights' campaigners out of the centre of Oxford and Witney.

Police have allowed them to return and demonstrate outside Hillgrove Farm cat breeding business in Minster Lovell this Saturday - for the first time since last May.

The move will allow protesters to focus on the cat farm and avoid a repeat of the last big demo when they converged on Oxford city centre and disrupted pre-Christmas shopping after being banned from the area around the farm.

Thames Valley's assistant chief constable Paul West said: "I am very pleased that we have been able to arrive at a suitable compromise agreement.

"We have always stated that we are more than happy to facilitate a lawful and peaceful protest and this is what is intended for Saturday afternoon." Mr West will be in overall charge of the policing operation, with campaigners expecting hundreds of demonstrators from all over the country to converge on west Oxfordshire. A spokesman for Save the Hillgrove Cats said: "We have agreed to look at arrangements on a demo-to-demo basis. If we are not happy with the policing, then we will re-think."

On Saturday, campaigners will assemble at the junction of Burford Road and Dry Lane, about a quarter of a mile from Hillgrove Farm, where Chris Brown breeds up to 1,000 cats for research.

They will be allowed to walk down Dry Lane and hold a peaceful protest for one hour before returning to Burford Road to hear public speakers.

Mr West warned any criminal offences would be fully investigated.

Story date: Wednesday 17 February

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