A MACABRE vision greeted prospective gamblers when a town centre betting shop was targeted by anti-greyhound racing campaigners.

Half-a-dozen protesters against the dog-racing industry gathered outside George Racing on The Rock, carrying a mock severed dog's head inside a rubbish bin.

The hour-long demonstration on Tuesday afternoon was one of a series held by the campaign group Manchester Animal Protection, who claim that almost 40,000 ex-racing dogs are inhumanely destroyed each year.

Banners and placards were also carried by members of the group, who are calling for an outright ban on greyhound racing.

Members of the public were handed leaflets and asked to boycott the sport.

Campaign spokeswoman Louise Stevenson said: "Our protest is not against any one bookmakers in particular, but against any outlet that takes bets on greyhound racing.

"Once these dogs have been retired from racing and lose their economic value they are basically 'binned' by methods that include clubbing or drowning.

"We thought that the foam head in a bin would be a powerful visual reminder of that."

Police arrived to ensure a peaceful protest and reported that there had been no problems.

George Racing manager Peter Reah said: "The protest has not bothered any of the customers.

"We are aware of the issues, but as far as the people coming in are concerned it has been business as usual."