ANIMAL rights campaigners took to the streets of Lytham this week to protest over an international firm's use of wool from Australia.

Protestors supporting People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) gathered outside the Benetton store on Park Road.

The charity wants Benetton to stop using wool from Australia until the country bans the use of 'mulesing' a technique involving carving flesh from lambs backsides to reduce maggot infestation.

It is also critical of Australia's policy of transporting live sheep to the Middle East when they are no longer providing wool.

PETA says firms such as Abercrombie & Fitch, George and New Look have already joined the boycott.

One of the local animal welfare campaigners, who asked not to be named, said: "It went very peacefully and we did have a very good response.

"We are very hopeful that people will consider not supporting Benetton's woollen garments in future."

In a statement, the company said: "Benetton Group has been unjustly and incorrectly involved by PETA in a dispute with the Australian Wool Industry, despite the fact that Benetton has no direct relationship with sheep breeding in Australia. "Benetton roup has requested clarification from its suppliers regarding the origin of the wool they supply.

"The suppliers have responded that virtually all Australian merino wool comes from producers using mulesing and that this practice is essential to avoid the death of millions of sheep.

"PETA sustains that between 20 and 40 percent of Australian wool comes from producers who do not practice mulesing.

"Benetton takes note of this difference in position and invites the parties to definitively clarify the reality of the facts."