A GARDEN centre is banning the sale of pets after pressure from the UK's largest animal rights group Animal Aid.
Wyevale Garden Centre in Tarporley is one of the 114 stores that form the country's leading chain of garden centres and the second biggest retailer of pets in the UK.
It is also one of the 52 stores affected by the company's new policy to stop selling animals in stores.
The decision comes after a 16-month campaign by pressure group Animal Aid.
Wyevale is the second major UK business to agree to Animal Aid's demands, with a similar campaign against DIY chain Focus resulting in the company ceasing to sell animals in 2005.
Animal Aid's director, Andrew Tyler said: 'Garden centres are totally unsuitable environments in which to sell animals. They encourage impulse buying by customers who will have gone to purchase plants, not pets.
'Animals bought on a whim often find themselves neglected and/or abandoned at already hard-pressed rescue centres once the novelty has worn off.
'We are absolutely delighted with Wyevale's announcement and commend them for it.
'We would urge Wyevale to phase out animal sales as soon as possible and have offered to help re-home some of the animals in suitable, pre-checked homes.'
Barry Stevenson, chief executive of Wyevale Garden Centres said: 'This decision follows a complete review of Wyevale's business over the last few months by its new management team.
'We will now concentrate on growth areas like pet and wild life foods, pet accessories and other pet equipment. Wyevale is proud of its excellent record of responsible trading, not just in relation to pets but also in other areas of proper ethical concern to our customers and the public generally.'
Animal Aid will be continuing to pressure Wyevale to phase out the sale of ornamental fish, by concessionaires operating within the company's stores.'
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