A German lab where monkeys were filmed screaming in pain while their necks were held in harnesses during cruel tests has had its licence revoked.

Authorities have ordered a site in Mienenbüttel run by the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT) to close permanently following an inspection.

It follows a harrowing investigation by animal charity Cruelty Free International, which sparked horror in October last year.

The facility has now been given two weeks to hand over all the animals which are currently there.

Cruelty Free International's director of public affairs, Kerry Postlewhite, said: “We are delighted that the authorities have taken action to hold LPT accountable.

"The levels of animal cruelty and breaches of law exposed by our investigation are totally unacceptable.

(Image: Cruelty Free International)

"The evidence from our findings has lifted the lid on the secrecy that continues to surround the use of animals in these outdated tests and highlights the need for a review of toxicity testing throughout Europe.

"Cruelty of this nature cannot be allowed to take place in any laboratory.”

There are currently 96 dogs at the facility, CFI said in a statement, while 49 cats and 80 dogs have been rescued.

These have either been transferred to animal welfare organisations or to private homes.

A district spokesman told NDR: "LPT is given a period of two weeks to hand over all animals still living in the animal testing facility - there are 96 dogs - to suitable third parties."

(Image: Cruelty Free International)

In heartbreaking video released last year by Cruelty Free International and rights group Soko Tierschutz, monkeys are seen crying like newborn babies while they hang from metal harnesses strapped to their necks.

Friedrich Mülln, from Soko Tierschutz, said: "The animals were even still waggling their tails when they were being taken to be killed, the dogs were desperate for human contact.

"The worst treatment was kept for the monkeys. The macaques breed of monkeys are small, relatively light primates, which are often used for animal experiments at LPT.

(Image: Cruelty Free International)

"They are kept in cramped conditions in small cages. Many of the animals have developed compulsive tendencies and are seen going round in circles."

The eight-minute footage also shows toxicology tests being carried out on cats, dogs and rabbits, leaving them in a highly distressed state.

According to CFI, the tests involve poisoning animals to see how much of a chemical or drug it takes to cause serious harm, in an attempt to measure what a "safe" dose for humans might be.

They claim the animals are injected with or made to eat or inhale increasing amounts of a substance to measure the toxic effects.

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The horrific effects include vomiting, internal bleeding, respiratory distress, fever, weight loss, lethargy, skin problems, organ failure and even death.

CFI claims animals are not given pain relief or anaesthetics.

(Image: Cruelty Free International)

The undercover worker said staff are not trained animal carers and were often violent towards the animals.

They said they witnessed beagles bleeding after the experiments in which pipes forced were down their throat as they were given capsules.