ANIMAL welfare campaigners turned people away from historic Hoghton Tower as they staged a three hour protest against duck and pheasant shooting. More than fifty supporters of the North West League Against Cruel Sports (NWLACS) and other animal welfare groups turned up on Sunday for the first of a series of demonstrations.

The campaigners say they want the public to know the gruesome fate suffered by the Hoghton Tower ducks when the day-trippers and their children are not watching. They showed pictures and images to visitors arriving at the tourist attraction, which is still the family home of the de Hoghton line, and say that they succeeded in turning many of them away.

Jeanne Young of the NWLACS said: "It's clear from the public reaction today that the barbaric duck and pheasant shoot is starting to damage the de Hoghton family name and Hoghton Tower in general. "Many people, not surprisingly, turned away from Hoghton Tower on seeing the images we have of ducks killed there whilst passing motorists also showed us their support for our campaign. The reality of Hoghton Tower is far from the picture postcard image that they would have you believe and finally the public is learning the grim truth.

Police deal quickly with Hoghton Tower staff

This was a very well supported and peaceful protest and we are grateful to the police for their protection. "

Unfortunately as event organisers were leaving police became concerned at the activity of Hoghton Tower staff and intervened to prevent them following organisers as has happened before.

The demo was featured on BBC North West Tonight (twice), BBC Radio Lancashire, Chorley Citizen, Lancashire Evening Post and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Watch the reality of the Hoghton Tower Duck Shoot (5 Videos)

Sign the petitions:

Hoghton Tower - Stop the Violence
Ban Duck and Pheasant Shooting
Boycott Hoghton Tower