TEENAGE campaigner Laurie Pycroft is delighted Prime Minister Tony Blair is backing animal testing.

Laurie, 16, who runs the pro animal testing organisation Pro-Test, said it was "brilliant" that the Prime Minister had come out defending animal testing.

Mr Blair said he would sign a pro-animal testing petition in a stand against what he called a "tiny group of extremists".

Laurie, pictured, from Swindon, said: "It is brilliant that Mr Blair has come out in support of animal testing. It shows just how important such medical research is to the country.

"It shows there is no longer a climate of fear over speaking out in support of such issues and the fact that he mentioned Pro-Test by name will hopefully mean more support for our campaign."

Mr Blair also revealed that the Government was to consult on plans to keep shareholders' names secret to protect the scientists and companies, which he said saved millions of lives.

It follows threats made to shareholders of the pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline.

Pro-Test was launched to support the construction of a new animal research facility at Oxford University the building of which was delayed after animal rights extremists threatened violence against the contractors and other companies involved in its construction. To find out more visit www.pro-test.org.uk