PHARMACEUTICALS giant GlaxoSmithKline won a High Court injunction banning animal rights protestors from the doors of 18 of its bases including Stockley Park in Uxbridge and the site at Greenford in Ealing.

On Friday a High Court judge granted the company an injunction to curtail the campaign, restricting protests by creating "exclusion zones" around their premises and banning harassment of workers.

The order names its subjects as Greg Avery, as a representative for all acting members, participants or supporters of the Stop Huntingdon Cruelty (SHAC) group, and Robin Webb, representing the Animal Liberation Front (ALF).

Giving his judgment, Mr Justice Teare outlined the extent and seriousness of the harassment and intimidation that Glaxo employees and those related to them have suffered at the hands of protestors.

Mr Webb did not attend court to defend the ALF, but SHAC representative, Mr Avery, and his legal advisor, Dr Max Gastone, appeared in court and argued that an order was inappropriate.

They said the group was already doing everything it could to make sure its demonstrations stayed within the law.

And, although the judge said he had sympathy for the group, which he recognised was doing what it could to reign in its members, he said an injunction had to be imposed to prevent unlawful activity.

"The careful and moderate submissions of both Dr Max Gastone and Mr Avery suggest that SHAC indeed recognises that there are limits to legitimate protest and the statement of Natasha Avery shows that there is considerable liaison with the police," he said.

"However, it appears that not all of SHAC's supporters can be relied upon to act lawfully.

"Thus, although Natasha Avery advised the police that the demonstration on March 9, 2007, at Brentford would be 'orderly, lawful and peaceful', at least one supporter of SHAC did not act in such a manner.

"I can well understand the frustration of Mr Avery, Dr Max Gastone and Natasha Avery that, despite their efforts to organise lawful and peaceful demonstrations in the name of SHAC, they face this application for an injunction.

"However, the evidence which has been put before the court shows that they have not yet succeeded in convincing their supporters that their demonstrations should be lawful and peaceful."