Animal Rising protestors glue themselves to sheep stalls at Royal Highland Shown in Edinburgh

A group of animal rights protesters disrupted a sheep shearing event at the Royal Highland Show after gluing themselves to animal stalls.

Three Animal Rising supporters attached themselves to the sheep stalls on Saturday afternoon while others carried placards.

The group were protesting against the event, which sees teams from around the world shear sheep as quickly as possible.

The group were then removed by security.

In a statement, Sarah McCaffrey from Animal Rising said: “We are here to engage in conversation around our broken relationship with animals and nature.

“We know that we are a nation of animal lovers, but that is not reflected in our actions. This is clear to see in the Golden Shears World Championship where sheep are put in positions where they are visibly stressed and uncomfortable, purely for our entertainment.

“It is also evident in our use of horses for ‘showjumping’ at this same event, and in our food system where we send one billion animals to be killed every year in the UK alone.

“That is why Animal Rising are here today taking action.”

The group added they had set up a table at the event in a bid to engage in conversation with farmers.

McCaffery added: “Disruption is only part of the story, dialogue is key too if we are to create the lasting change we need: a safe, secure food plant-based food system and programme of rewilding”.

Police Scotland and representatives for the Royal Highland Show have been contacted for comment.