TEMPERS flared at the racecourse as police moved in and made animal rights protesters remove a banner.

Campaigners from the Animal Aid group put up a banner stating that an average of 375 horses a year are "raced to death" on UK courses.

But officers moved in and told them the banner would cause offence to racegoers streaming into Knavesmire.

After a brief argument the banner, at the entrance to the course, was removed, although campaigners continued leafleting punters.

Updated: 11:05 Friday, June 17, 2005