FOOT and mouth protesters staged a go-slow drive through the Ribble Valley and released hundreds of black balloons as part of a 'Stop the Slaughter' campaign.

More than 100 activists gathered at the Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs veterinary site at Gisburn cattle market where they held a 10-minute silent vigil, before 50 cars set off in slow-moving convoy down the A59 to Clitheroe.

There they drove though the town centre sounding their horns and flying black balloons from car windows..

A total of 49 cases of foot-and-mouth have been confirmed at Lancashire farms since the first outbreak in February.

The protesters drove through Whalley and Chatburn -- causing traffic congestion -- before returning to Gisburn where they released hundreds of black balloons and tied black ribbons to the fence surrounding the high-security DEFRA site.

The Gisburn HQ deals with the allocation of vets and government officers to deal with new foot and mouth cases in the Ribble Valley.

There were more than 100 staff vehicles on the car park when the protesters arrived on Saturday and security staff looked on as the action went ahead.

Organiser Dave Robinson, of Withgill Fold, Clitheroe, said the protest was being made by a group of people who had been brought together by their anger at the massive cull of healthy animals in a bid to beat foot and mouth in East Lancashire.

"Most people here have never protested about anything in their lives before," he said. "But they are just so upset.

"The cull is barbaric and it isn't working," he added. "Vaccination does work. It's been proven the world over."

Rosemary Lodge, of Burnsall, tied a black balloon to the fence and said: "They just won't listen. We feel so helpless. We've seen people in tears in the streets."

A police spokesman said the protest had been very peaceful "We had no major problems. There was some traffic congestion but they kept moving at a reasonable speed. It was very well behaved."