Actress Claire Cooper has joined forces with PETA for its campaign to stop plans for a Yorkshire beagle breeding facility, after learning the company B&K Universal is set to expand, which could mean thousands of puppies would be used in 'deadly' experiments.

The former Hollyoaks star, from Wakefield, has written a letter to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles, calling for him to reject the appeal. Cooper writes 'Breeding dogs for deadly experiments is a shameful trade. Dogs aren't commodities or test tubes with tails. We hope you will do the right thing and reject the appeal for this building extension'.