A worker at a controversial monkey farm spoke out against the terror tactics used by animal rights extremists.

The man, who asked for his identity to be kept secret, said his home had been attacked, his car damaged and an explosive package full of broken razor blades delivered to his home.

He also regularly received offensive and threatening mail, including death threats.

The man is one of about 15 who work at Shamrock (GB) Ltd, a centre for monkeys at Small Dole, near Henfield. The monkeys are imported from Asia and then sent to medical laboratories across Europe.

The worker said: "I am asking you to publish these facts so the public can receive some balance on this matter.

"This is just a small sample from the mail I receive on a constant basis. I have been beset by problems from animal rights activists for years.

"Hordes of people, up to 70, shout abuse of the most disgusting type and denigrate me in the area where I live."

A hand-written note warns: "Resign. Just think, no more hassle, letters, gifts. You'll feel so much better. Unless you are a sadist."

The target of the hate mail regularly gets deliveries of goods ordered for him by protesters, who also sign him up for monthly donations to cancer charities, another source of activists' wrath because scientists trying to find a cure use animals in experiments.

Police now mount regular guards on workers' homes to protect people and property. But there is no sympathy from Save Shamrock Monkeys, which wants the farm shut down.

Spokesman Toni Vernelli said: "Most of the people who are opposed to Shamrock Farm are peaceful demonstrators. To focus on a small number of people who send that type of hate mail is misrepresenting the feeling against Shamrock."

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