ANIMAL rights activists have collected more than 1,000 signatures from Derby shoppers against a proposed giant pig farm.

Midland Pig Producers has applied to Derbyshire County Council for permission to build the farm, which could house up to 25,000 animals, west of Woodland Drive, Foston.

It would use slurry from the site to generate electricity for the National Grid.

But protesters believe the company would not be able to properly look after so many animals and that the farm could cause health, traffic and flooding problems.

On Saturday, members of several animal rights groups, including Merseyside Animal Rights, Derby Animal Rights and Manchester Animal Action, set up stalls in Albion Street and used a megaphone to try to rally support.

Niki O'Leary, from Liverpool, was among those taking part and said the farm would be a "pig prison".

The 39-year-old said: "We got more than 1,000 signatures that will now be sent to the council in response to its public consultation. We got a decent response – many people didn't know this was happening."

Shalan Frith, 17, of Mansfield Road, Oakwood, was among those who signed letters of objection to the county council. She said: " These pigs shouldn't be locked up."

A Midland Pig Producers spokeswoman previously said animal welfare was its top priority. She said the firm's commitment to animal welfare "had been acknowledged by highly credible organisations, including Compassion in World Farming".