A Brighton playwright hopes two of the county's most famous animal welfare campaigners will back his latest controversial work.

Brian Behan, of Newark Place, Albion Hill, wants TV scriptwriter Carla Lane and Body Shop founder Anita Roddick to donate £12,000 to help promote his latest work, Animal Terrorists.

The play, which will look at both sides of the animal rights debate, is to be performed at the New Venture Theatre in November.

Brian, brother of the late Irish writer Brendan Behan, said: "It is a serious play and will no doubt cause an explosion the moment it opens on stage.

"It explores the arguments of animal rights protesters and of vivisectionists and is quite graphic.

"I see no sense in writing pretty words."

Brian was inspired by protests outside Shamrock Farm in Small Dole, near Henfield.

The farm, which supplied monkeys for laboratories, closed in May after regular demonstrations.

Brian said: "It struck me that many of the people down there were not anarchists but instead were decent, well-dressed people.

"Animal welfare is an issue which many are passionate about."

David de Pitta, the director of Animal Terrorists, is now waiting for replies from Ms Roddick and Lane about whether they want to contribute to its promotion.

Brian, who has already had a story about animal rights published in The Spectator, said: "David is passionate about the play and wants to push it further afield.

"It would be great if it could be performed in other towns."