Free the Beagles: event in Avenham Park, Preston, attended by hundreds, including Big Brother's Luke Marsden

The MBR Free the Beagles event was organised by activist and animal lover Vicky Brown, 40, who has been relentlessly campaigning to put an end to laboratory testing on beagles. The event grabbed the attention of former Big Brother star Luke Marsden, who later posted a message of support for the group on Instagram.

Vicky, who is the owner of Victoria Cakes in Leyland, and has two beagles of her own - Lola and Betty, said: "The event ran from 12pm until 3pm and we had a really good response. It was a huge success and we raised loads of awareness which was the aim as there is no need to test on animals. There are so many cruelty free options.

"There were lots of very shocked people. Luke Marsden from Big Brother popped by. Him and his girlfriend were horrified. He shared a picture and the petition on his Instagram which was amazing."

What is Camp Beagle?

Camp Beagle is a protest camp set up in July 2021 by animal rights activists outside of MBR Acres, a breeding facility for beagles used in laboratory research, in Wyton, Cambridgeshire. The protestors want the site to be closed down, the beagles freed and for vivisection in the United Kingdom to be ended.

Following a High Court injunction hearing instigated by MBR Acres, it was ruled, on 5 October, that the camp was allowed to remain, with the provision that activists must remain at least 10 metres from the gates.

What happened at the Avenham Park event?

Vicky added: "There was a drummer on the bongos for background sound. We did a tombola with some great prizes with all money raised for Camp Beagle which people donated through a QR code.

"We gave out 150 bags which had a cupcake in which I made, a leaflet, a wrist band which I had made saying ‘Free the MBR Beagles' on one side and 'Camp Beagle' on the other side . A tester pot of hand cream donated from the Body Shop Preston as well as money off vouchers. They also donated stop animal testing bandanas as well for the pooches."

If you would like to add your name to the petition CLICK HERE.