David Blunkett is this week set to announce new measures to protect scientists involved in experiments on animals.

On Friday the home secretary will set out proposals to tighten existing legislation in a bid to prevent the intimidation of scientists.

Measures are thought likely to make it an offence to protest outside the home of anyone involved in experimentation on animals.

Researchers have been calling for a stronger signal of government support.

And ministers have been keen to showing their backing for scientists involved in lawful research.

But protestors have continued to drive companies away from getting involved in the sector.

Speaking on Sunday, Blunkett said new legislation was needed.

"The companies, the individuals working for those companies are being terrified into backing off and not being able to do their jobs. That is unacceptable," he told BBC1's Breakfast with Frost.

"We have proper licensing, proper regulation of the use of animals in those experiments where only animals can offer the way forward in terms of research."

Meanwhile, Blunkett has also said he will examine whether an American animal rights activist, Jerry Vlasak, should be banned from entering the UK.

And as the issue moves higher up the agenda, the National Association of Pension Funds is said to be considering the creation of a £25 million fund that would be used to reward anyone giving evidence leading to the conviction of extremists.