MORE than 400 animal rights demonstrators brought chaos to a town as they stormed the shopping centre and held a sit-down protest in the road.

Around 150 police, many in riot gear, were called in to break up the gathering.

Officers linked arms to form a wall to stop demonstrators getting into the Swan Walk shopping centre, in Horsham, and used 20 police vans to

corner the campaigners into the market square in a bid to

control the situation.

A peaceful demonstration got out of hand when protesters broke away from the arranged route, halting traffic and bringing anarchy to the town centre for hours.

Five people were arrested.

Protesters from across the area gathered in Horsham Park for a rally and march to

Horsham District Council offices to call on councillors not to renew planning permission for Shamrock Farm in Henfield Road, Small Dole, which imports monkeys to sell for use in laboratory experiments.

Armed with whistles, horns and placards, they chanted: "Close down Shamrock Farm" as they rampaged through the town centre, pasting stickers to every available surface and

letting off smoke bombs. Many shopkeepers locked their doors.

Around 50 people sat in the middle of the road refusing to move.

Ron Finch, 22, of Bishopwood Court, Horsham, said: "I'm joining the protest because I think it's terrible."

Marc Gowrley, 16, of Stoneybrook, Horsham, said: "I think it's well out of order what they do to the monkeys."

Charlotte Woods, a stall holder from East Grinstead, said: "I had no idea about the monkey farm but now that I do I am going to do something about it. I think it's disgusting."

Old and young linked hands as they sat in the road, listening to speeches and chanting while police surrounded them and and warned the group to move on. Tempers were raised as

a line of police moved slowly

in on the remaining

protesters camped at the roundabout on the corner of Madeira Avenue. One woman was hurt.

Organiser Tom Dugan, 31, of Preston Park, Brighton, said: "It's important for us to be here in Horsham not only to educate the people about Shamrock Farm

but also to let the

councillors of Horsham District Council know

it is not acceptable to continue to give planning

permission to continue this vile trade."

By 3.30pm, three-and-a-half hours after the rally began, protesters had almost dispersed and

traffic began moving again.

Assistant Chief Constable Tony Lake said: "We wanted to stop people from disrupting the public and breaking the law but also allow people their right to protest."

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