ANIMAL rights activists returned to Manchester Airport on Saturday to protest its alleged involvement in the transportation of live animals for testing.

Dozens of activists attended in dog masks or white coats and accused the airport of allowing flights of live animals like dogs and primates into the UK.

Organiser Jane Smith, who is the deputy leader of the Animal Welfare Party and a councillor in Alsager in Cheshire, said Manchester Airport has 'blood on its hands' at the previous protest in August.

After the protest on Saturday, she doubled down on her criticism of the airport, saying its alleged involvement what she called a 'horrific trade' has to end.

Cllr Smith said: "Like other notorious trades in lives that have gone before it, animal testing relies on the complicity of transportation interests – airports, airlines, haulage firms and insurance companies – to keep the wheels turning.

"But it’s a trade that has to end, because it’s neither morally acceptable nor scientifically sound. We can and will dismantle the animal testing industry, including through targeting its orbital industries including aviation and logistics.

"This peaceful protest outside Manchester Airport was designed to call the airport out for its role in this horrific trade while applying pressure for it to stop.

"It was the third time in a year that we’ve protested here on this issue, and we won’t stop until Manchester Airport stops accepting these shameful cargoes."

While some live animals for testing are transported into the UK, others are bred at facilities already in the UK.

Activists have been camped outside one of these facilities in Cambridgeshire, MBR Acres, for several months.

Called 'Camp Beagle', this eventful demonstration has seen a number of activists arrested. Some two months ago, actor and singer Will Young attended and handcuffed himself to a gate.

In the past, Cllr Smith expressed solidarity with 'Camp Beagle'.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “We are aware of a protest that took place last weekend at the airport. We respect people's rights to peaceful protest, and worked closely with Greater Manchester Police to ensure this had no impact on our operations.”