NOTTINGHAM South MP Alan Simpson has signed a parliamentary petition calling for an end to testing drugs on monkeys.

Mr Simpson has signed up to an early day motion, which states: "That this House is concerned to note that thousands of primates are used in experiments across Europe each year."

It also notes "with deep regret" that the European Commission refuses to implement a ban on live primate experiments across the continent. The petition is timed to coincide with a debate in the European Parliament on the issue.