SHAREHOLDERS of pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline living in Comet country have received threatening letters from animal rights extremists. The company, which has a large research site in Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, confirmed a woman from the town had

SHAREHOLDERS of pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline living in Comet country have received threatening letters from animal rights extremists.

The company, which has a large research site in Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, confirmed a woman from the town had contacted them and the police after receiving a threatening letter.

A spokesman said: "We understand the police are taking this threatening letter very seriously."

GSK say if anyone does receive letters from animal extremists, they can find what to do by logging on to the company website GSK.com

It is understood several complaints from GSK shareholders have been received by Hertfordshire police.

On Tuesday night, GSK obtained an emergency injunction in the High Court against the Campaign Against Huntingdon Life Sciences from sending more letters and revealing personal details of GSK shareholders.

The letters had threatened that shareholders details would be posted on the internet if they did not sell up within two weeks.

Activists have targeted animal testing company Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) and its business partners for years.

GSK has said it will continue to work with HLS, declaring: "We deplore long-term campaigns of violence, intimidation and harassment against employees, their families

and people associated with the company."

GSK chief executive JP Garnier said shareholders had shown "courage, integrity and resilience" in the face of threats.