Hundreds of mink have been released from a Hampshire farm which had previously been targeted by animal rights activists.

Police cannot say exactly how many animals were released from Crow Hill Farm near Ringwood in the New Forest.

Local experts and officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are in the area trying to recapture the animals which were released on Tuesday.

The farm was previously targeted by activists in 1998.

After breaking into the complex they released 7,000 animals.

'Irresponsible action'

Police are warning the public not to attempt to pick up the mink and have set up a special hotline on 023 8067 4205.

A spokesman said officers were investigating whether animal rights activists were behind the release.

In a statement, the animal welfare minister Elliot Morley said: "I utterly condemn this irresponsible action.

"It is illegal to release mink, a non-native species into the wild in the UK because of the environmental damage it can cause."

The Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000 banned the keeping of mink for slaughter for their fur.

But farmers have until 1 January 2003 to stop the practice.