Live: Grand National protest outside global bet365 HQ

Protesters are today staging a Grand National demonstration - outside the global HQ of bet365. They are by the side of Etruria Road, heading towards Festival Park, with the bet365 office as a backdrop.

The protest started at around 11am today. It comes as the 2024 Grand National gets underway at 4pm today.

Stoke-on-Trent Animal Rights is behind today's protest. Two horses died in the 2022 Grand National - with two horses dying at the Aintree Festival yesterday.

Vicky Gerrard said: "We want as many people to see us as possible and hope it encourages people to not bet on cruelty. We believe the horseracing industry is cruel and causes enormous suffering. We urge people to not support the industry by betting or attending racecourses.

"Today is always a really hard day with so much news coverage and support for racing. We just feel we have to do something and this may make some people think about not betting or looking into it more. We have had lots of support from motorists beeping and waving."

This is a live blog. For the latest on the protest follow our live blog below.