More than 4,000 free range chickens which were under threat of execution have been liberated from a Sussex farm by animal lovers.

The hens were considered past their sell-by date and faced ending up as chicken nuggets until the newly formed Brighton Animal Action group and other animal lovers helped to remove the hens to safe homes.

The farmer, whose identity has not been revealed, gave permission for the hens to be removed after the action group discovered execution plans.

Although free range, the hens faced the chop as they had reached their 72-week lifespan. Supermarkets consider hens past their best after 72 weeks as the shells of the eggs they lay deteriorates.

Sue Baumgardt, spokeswoman for Brighton Animal Action, said: "Hens can live and lay for many years but the shells of their eggs may become slightly thinner, irregular or have track marks and knobbly bits, none of which matches the supermarkets' image of perfection."

Battery hens are slaughtered at 68 weeks.

Activists worked over the whole weekend to catch, bag and crate as many of the birds as possible.

They were then taken to places such as Hen Heaven in Henfield and comedy writer Carla Lane's animal sanctuary in Horsted Keynes.

Other birds went to homes, where they may live for another four or five years, in the New Forest and Hastings.

The roosting shed contained about 5,000 birds. Not all could be saved from slaughter. The group say those birds remaining would be made into processed chicken products, cat food and stock cubes.

Ms Baumgardt, who helped with the rescue, said: "This was just one farm out of many across the country where birds are living in their thousands so that people can enjoy cheap eggs and chicken products. Supermarkets are damning these lovely birds to a short life.

"The lucky ones who were rescued will now go on to live for many years and continue to lay perfectly good eggs."

Denise Friend, who also took part in the liberation, said: "We will be sending a thank you card to the farmer from the hens."