ANIMAL rights activists were today due to lay wreaths to the thousands of animals buried at the disused airfield at Throckmorton, near Pershore.

The Midlands-based Animal Rights Movement was also going to visit the Ministry of Agriculture offices at Whittington Road, Worcester, to air its views.

Appalled

"We're appalled at the way the Army was called in," said a spokeswoman for the group.

"Foot-and-mouth is a harmless virus.

"We hope to tell MAFF how badly we think they've handled it."

The activists will also be presenting a petition against the subsidies paid to farmers, especially regarding the live export trade.

"The whole industry is cruel and barbaric and this crisis has highlighted the trade," said the spokeswoman.