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Animal rights protesters have used lights to send a message to the University of Nottingham about using animals in experiments.

The words “Notts Uni Tortures Animals” were illuminated across the tram bridge over Clifton Boulevard between 5.30pm to 7pm.

This was done by members of Nottingham Animal Rights to protest the way animals are used by the university in its experiments.

However the university has said that “no animal is subject to unnecessary suffering”, that they meet strict Home Office guidelines and that their research improves the lives of animals and people.

Huw Longman, a spokesman for Nottingham Animal Rights, said: “We believe there is no longer a requirement to carry out barbaric and cruel experiments on animals with such huge advances in technology for animal-free research which provide tangible results without causing distress, injury and death to animals.

(Image: Joseph Raynor)

“We imagine the public in Nottingham are unaware of what is happening to animals in our city, and the Light Brigade is an opportunity to change this.”

In 2016, 25,449 procedures were conducted on animals at the university and animals involved includes mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, pigs, sheep, cattle and fish.

A spokeswoman for the university said: “No animal is subject to unnecessary suffering in our research to better understand health and disease and improve the lives of both animals and humans.

“All the procedures using animals at the University of Nottingham are regulated by the Animals Scientific Procedures Act 1986 and meet the strict guidelines set out by the Home Office.”