A HAMPSHIRE school could decide to continue rearing pigs for slaughter – despite a huge protest by animal rights campaigners.

The controversy resulted in Priestlands School, Lymington, returning four of the creatures to their former owner – but parents and students are calling for the project to resume.

The final decision will rest with the school’s governors, who are due to consider the issue shortly after Easter.

Two months ago animal rights group Surge Activism raised a 35,000-name petition calling for the latest pigs reared at the school to be reprieved.

Priestlands pledged to carry out a consultation over the future of the scheme.

Last night executive head teacher Chris Willshire said: “The school has received overwhelming support from parents, students and staff for us to continue rearing pigs.

“There’s also an argument for us to include more coverage in the curriculum of alternative diets and sustainability, including the recruitment of expert speakers.

“We are currently exploring options in order to put a proposal to the governors.”

Priestlands has been rearing pigs for years as part of a project to make the school more sustainable.

Speaking after the animal rights row broke out, a school spokesman said: “We have always been open and honest about the purpose of the pigs.

“Students voluntarily look after the animals in the walled garden, which all visitors recognise as a stunning feature of the school.”

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