Caring grandmother Gladys Hammond was the type of neighbour you dreamed of meeting. "She turned up on our first day at our new house with half a dozen eggs, it was such a warm welcome to this tiny hamlet," said a friend who had known her for more than 40 years. "She was the kindest, most gentle person you are ever likely to meet. She hated violence." But five years after she died, the 82-year-old became the target of the most despicable act imaginable. Her body was dug up and stolen from the churchyard in Yoxall, Staffordshire. The villagers have little doubt who committed the atrocity. They whisper about "terror-ists", animal rights extremists who have bombarded and destroyed the village in a five year campaign of intimidation and violence. The target of their protest has been nearby Darley Oaks Farm, run by Mrs Hammond's sonlaw John Hall, which breeds guinea pigs for use in medical testing laboratories. But the activism has drifted away from the peaceful "fluffy" protesters of Save Newchurch Guinea Pigs who have gathered outside the Hall farm every weekend for the last five years. Their protest has been hijacked by people prepared to vandal-ise, sever phone lines and resort to physical violence against the living and dead. Everyone you meet walking through the main village has a story of how their lives have been blighted because of the slightest connection to the farm. Simply the fact of living nearby has provoked violence. Graffiti has been daubed across the town, even trees have been coated in green paint. The night-time peace of the beautiful countryside is regularly disturbed by firecrackers and bricks smashing through windows. The landlord who ran the pub where the Halls drank was forced to sell up four months ago, his delivery drivers bombarded with abuse. Village newsagent Malcolm Singh was even targeted by the protesters because he delivered papers to the Hall's home. He was sent abusive letters and Mr Hall took the decision to cancel his order to protect the shopowner. Fear and horror has taken over the village. Every person you approach politely refuses to give their name because everyone who has spoken out has been targeted. "These people have found out about everyone who goes to work for the Halls and attacked them, smashing in their windows, mob threats," said a woman, who was going to lay flowers on Mrs Hammond's grave. "The people who did this are evil. They are terrorists in every sense of the word." Others talk of a fear that something worse is on the horizon, that every action has been followed by something more extreme as the Halls stand steadfast against the blackmail. "What has happened has hurt everyone in the area emotionally, but the next thing will see someone hurt physically. You dread to think what could happen," said one villager. Today, Mrs Hammond's body was still missing, but her grave was being rededicated in a ceremony at St Peter's Church by the Rev Jenny Lister, amidst hopes it would strengthen the village's resolve. ..SUPL: | 
