Camp Beagle joined forces with a campaign to highlight the awareness of mesh implant surgery.

The base outside of MBR Acres in Wyton, near Huntingdon, welcomed Sling the Mesh campaigner Kath Sansom last month.

It is believed that certain types of mesh was trialled on animals.

Kath said: "As a society we need to look at the validity of animal testing and if it translates into meaningful evidence in humans in a real-world setting.

“We also have men and women suffering pain from hernia mesh, prolapse mesh, rectopexy mesh and mesh used as part of mastectomy surgeries."

Sling the Mesh was founded in 2015 with 20 members, and now has more than 9,300 suffering complications from mesh.

The plastic material used in surgeries to support weak tissue, to treat a range of conditions including prolapse, incontinence, hernia and reconstruction following mastectomy.

MORE: Popstar Will Young handcuffs himself to gates of 'Camp Beagle'

Camp Beagle and Kath first connected via social media and were eager to host her at camp to learn more.

Sammi Laidlaw, who is continuing to fight for the beagle breeding site to be closed down, said: “We were absolutely chuffed to have finally met Kath, as Sling the Mesh campaign is close to our hearts."

In November last year, singer Will Young handcuffed himself to the gates of Camp Beagle in a “peaceful, direct protest” as he spoke passionately about animal rights.

The Pop Idol winner, 42, visited MBR Acres to campaign for the closure of the facility and to end the use of beagles in laboratory testing.

The High Court ruled last year that Camp Beagle could stay outside MBR Acres as long as people stand 10 metres away from the front gates.

MBR Acres is owned by Marshall BioResources, a global provider of purpose-bred animals for biomedical research and related services.

They say they are "dedicated to maintaining high standards of animal welfare".

To find out more about Sling the Mesh follow their Twitter page at: https://twitter.com/MeshCampaign or join their closed Facebook support group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/784263765025642

For the latest updates from Camp Beagle, follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/campbeagleofficial