BANNER-waving bunnies met for a pre-Christmas pet store protest.

Members of Swindon Animal Concern gathered outside Petworld, part of the Greenbridge branch of Focus Do It All.

Their aim was to persuade people not to buy pets as Christmas presents or on impulse during the festive season.

However, the store insists it doesn't allow an animal to leave the building unless staff are sure it will go to a good home. Swindon Animal Concern acted as part of a national campaign by the Animal Aid charity.

SAC spokeswoman Marilyn Harrison said: "We feel that a do-it-yourself store selling animals can encourage impulse buying.

"We don't feel that people should be buying pets for Christmas presents. It is always a bad idea in a season when so many things are going on, such as parties.

"What we would like people to do is wait until after Christmas and visit local animal shelters.

"There they will find lots of different animals available, from mice, rats and guinea pigs to cats and dogs and even horses.

"Animal Aid did ask Focus Do It All not to sell animals in the run-up to Christmas, but the company refused."

During the protest on Saturday nobody at the store was available to comment.

A company spokesman earlier said: "Before a pet is sold, a process is followed whereby it is established, through questioning, whether or not the pet is suitable for that particular customer.

"We are only too happy to work with organisations such as the RSPCA and rescue centres to ensure that whoever takes a pet home from Petworld understands what is required of them."