A FARMER was attacked and chained to a fence by animal rights activists who demanded that she and her husband close their farm which breeds cats for medical research.

The two men attacked 62-year-old Katharine Brown while she was walking her labrador by the River Windrush, a few hundred yards from her home, Hill Grove Farm, near Witney, Oxon. Mrs Brown, who was unhurt, freed herself after 10 minutes and raised the alarm.

Christopher Brown, 60, who is the only farmer in Britain licensed to breed cats for medical research, said: "My wife was petrified. They are trying to terrorise us but we will respond to this in the same way as we have to other incidents - we have no intention of closing. If anyone has complaints of cruelty to animals they should go to the RSPCA, who will investigate. But these people are misguided and misinformed."

The farm, which at any one time has 1,000 cats in its care, has been the scene of frequent and often large animal welfare demonstrations. Police Supt John MacIntyre said: "This was a cowardly crime, a dreadful way of trying to intimidate people who are running a lawful business."