MILITANT animal rights activists today warned there would be repeats of Thursday's Leeds bomb hoax as tension mounted over hunger striker Barry Horne's continued fast in a York hospital.

Robin Webb, press officer for the Animal Liberation Front, said today: "The ALF has for many years used small incendiary devices timed to go off when buildings are empty so that life is not endangered.

"The bomb hoax has been claimed by the ALF on behalf of Barry. I cannot predict what's going to happen because I don't have prior knowledge of illegal acts, but actions of that nature will continue so long as animal abuse continues."

Local animal rights protesters who have continued their vigil since Horne was transferred to York District Hospital from Full Sutton Prison were today predicting that scores of other protesters from across the country would join them as Horne approached his 60th day without food.

But in a fresh development today police moved in to instruct them to clear away a makeshift camp, including a tent, just outside the hospital.

Yesterday the Evening Press reported that Horne had lost the sight in one of his eyes, damage which supporters claimed was irreversible.

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