A Sunbury woman was among seven people who appeared in court accused of animal rights activism involving the controversial Huntingdon Life Sciences laboratory.

Janet Lawrence, 53, of Bowater Gardens, was charged with animal rights extremism after an operation involving five police forces.

The three men and four women faced charges of conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Aldershot Magistrates' Court heard the defendants were all allegedly involved with the protest group Shac, which is said to campaign for the closure of the experimental laboratory.

Prosecutor Alastair Nisbet said that 10 other defendants had already appeared before the courts on similar charges.

District Judge Philip Gilliband ordered the transfer of the cases to Winchester Crown Court, where a preliminary hearing is expected to be held on Friday, April 4.

They were all released on bail on condition that they surrendered their passports, did not to have any involvement with any organisations protesting against animal rights, did not to attend any protest or demonstration, did not to have any contact with employees of Huntingdon Life Sciences and did not to have any contact with their co-accused.