AN ANIMAL liberation group says it has stormed a farm in the early hours.

Dircet Action Everywhere (DxE) Brighton members say they entered Hoads Farm near Rye "under the cover of darkness" to "hold the 'free-range' industry accountable".

Activists dressed in hazmat suits filed into the farm at 6am today.

A live stream from the farm shows them in a room in which chickens are kept.

The group said six people have also locked themselves together with chains in the farm's driveway at 6am.

Five hours later, they remained chained together and standing across the driveway.

In a statement, DxE said police were currently at the farm.

On its website, Hoads Farm says: "Hoads Farm was first established in 1978 and helped pioneer the growth in commercial free range egg production.

"Today, we remain relatively unique in that we have never compromised our values, having only ever sold genuine free range eggs.

"It is these values for animal welfare, high quality standards and sustainability that underpin how the business is run to this day."

Hoads Farm has been contacted for comment and said it would be releasing a statement later today.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "Police have responded to a report of a protest by animal rights activists at Hoads Farm in Northiam Road, Broad Oak, near Rye on Monday at 8.15am."

Superintendent Howard Hodges said: "While we respect the right of individuals to protest, we have to balance this with the rights of the workers and the farm to go about its normal business.

"We are working with the farm and protesters to bring this to a peaceful resolution."