Robin Webb, from ALF, speaking on BBC News 24: "I have no regrets"

Robin Webb claims ALF were responsible for freeing the mink

He denied that the mink will destroy the local ecosystem: "As they are territorial animals, you're not going to get packs of mink running around for a long periods of time. They're not going to wipe out entire species."

Mr Webb criticised the Labour Government for "reneging" on "every single animal welfare promise" they had made.

Fur farm owner Terence Smith: "I'm just appalled"

"The fur trade is a bloody relic of years gone by," he said.

"It should be outlawed by legislation. Individual mink have a right to life outside these concentration camp conditions."

When asked to concede that his organisation had broken the law he likened the work of the animal rights movement to the struggles for the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of women. All of these necessitated "working outside the law", said Mr Webb.

People are being warned not to approach any of the animals.

PC Rob Ellis: "Environmentally, it's a potential catastrophe"

"They'll eat anything that moves, and if cornered, they're likely to have a go at humans too," he said.