Beagle farm plans approved

A beagle farm in east Yorkshire has been given permission to expand and breed thousands of dogs and other animals for experiments.

The site has previously been refused permission by East Riding Council - but that decision has now been overturned by the Secretary of State for Local Government.

It's a decision that has angered campaigners living close to the site who've been fighting against the expansion for more than five years. Here's James Webster's report:

We also spoke to the actor Peter Egan from the ITV series Downton Abbey who said he was 'shocked' and 'disgusted' by the decision.

Ricky Gervais has tweeted against the approval of a Beagle farm expansion in Withernsea, comparing it to the recent vote to relax the fox hunting ban.

Proposals to expand a beagle farm at Grimston near Withernsea have been approved.

B&K Universal, which owns the site, wants to develop the existing facility to allow dogs to be bred for medical testing, but campaigners say the testing is unnecessary.

A decision is expected today on proposals to expand a beagle farm at Grimston near Withernsea.

B&K Universal, which owns the site, wants to develop the existing facility to allow dogs to be bred for medical testing, but campaigners say increasing testing is unnecessary.

The Minister for Communities and Local Government is to decide whether to approve the plans later today.