THE bunnies were out in force in Bournemouth town centre on Thursday, as campaigners for the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) donned bunny masks and stocks similar to those used to restrain animals in tests to launch the charity's new "Bunny Map".

Named after the animal commonly used in cosmetics testing, the map aims to help consumers find ethical products, including cosmetics, toiletries and household products, around the town more easily.

Found online at the BUAV website, shoppers simply scroll over the bunnies dotted across the town map to learn which shops stock specific cruelty-free products.

The launch of the map coincided with the BUAV's National Cruelty Free Week, to raise awareness of cosmetic testing on animals.

According to a recent poll, 77 per cent of British women support a ban on testing cosmetics on animals Campaigner for the BUAV Dave Powell said: "It's great to be here talking about the positive side of our work, rather than the dark side showing the population of Bournemouth where they can buy cruelty-free products."

Campaigns manager Sean Gifford added: "Most people don't want products that have been tested on animals, but they don't know where to find cruelty-free alternatives hence the need for Bunny Maps!"

  • For more information about the charity, and to find the Bunny Map for Bournemouth, go online to: www.buav.org and click on the Go Cruelty Free link.