Oxford University has won an appeal to ban an animal rights protester from the exclusion zone around its new biomedical research laboratory.

The High Court yesterday agreed to the university's application to place an injunction on Speak's Mel Broughton, banning him from the site of the research facility in South Parks Road where demonstrating is already not allowed.

The appeal follows a High Court case in May when Mr Justice Holland refused to impose the ban after Mr Broughton made a number of undertakings not to break the law.

Three judges at the High Court agreed with the university's barrister Charles Flint that the undertakings were "no substitute" for an injunction under the Harrassment Act, which he said had far greater punitive powers.

Earlier, Mr Broughton's barrister had argued he could be jailed if the undertakings were breached, but Lord Justice Keene said an injunction gave the police greater powers of arrest and warning.

The judges also overruled a decision to dismiss a claim for damages brought under the Harrassment Act against a second protester, Greg Avery.

Mr Broughton was not available for comment last night.