Animal welfare campaigners have organised a creative stunt to protest the increasing use of mice in laboratory tests at the University of Kent.

The international pressure group Animal Justice Project and the student group Animal Rights Committee have displayed over a hundred of toy mice and visuals at the university’s Jarman Plaza.

The protest was organised after it was revealed that the mice used in experiments had increased by 400% since 2016, with 476 being used in 2017 only.

Claire Palmer, founder of the Animal Justice Project, said they asked the University of Kent to end all animal research. “We think it’s within the reach of the University to use no mice at all.”

“They’re not being transparent and we did our own research. We know they are subjecting mice to injuries but we don’t know the extent of these injuries.”

She added: “The research is curiosity-driven. They’re doing the same experiments every year with different students.”

They have also called for a scientific publication to be provided that demonstrates mice actually predict human responses. The University of Kent refused. Lecturers are also refusing to have a debate with Dr Andre Menache, the Science Advisor for Animal Justice Project.

A statement from the University said mice are only used where there are no alternative methods available.

It continued: “We are also committed to ensuring that researchers use the minimum number needed to meet their research objectives and to achieving the highest standards of animal care and welfare.”