MISSION TO SAVE GRAND NATIONAL

Security fear over activists

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

SECURITY will be boosted at the Grand National after animal rights activists plotted to sabotage and "ruin" the event.

More than 100 militants reportedly backed Animal Rebellion's plan to share its radical message by hijacking the horse race's global audience.

And despite being exposed in an undercover sting, the group has said it will not be stopped - and intends to target other horse races this summer.

Footage shows plotters talking of using ladders and bolt cutters to beat security fences at Aintree on April 15, then glueing themselves together on the course to form a human barricade.

Jim Edwards, who advises Animal Rebellion on media strategy, boasted to an undercover reporter it would be "our biggest spectacular to date". He said: "Have you heard of the Grand National? That will not be happening this year. We're hoping to gather 300 activists to occupy that course and stop it.