ENFIELD is the first council in the country to use only "cruelty-free" cleaning products.

The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV), which campaigns to end animal experiments, voiced delight at the decision, made at last night's council meeting.

Councillor Christopher Cole introduced the motion in support of the BUAV's "Clean Up Cruelty" campaign, which seeks to end cruel animal testing for household products and their ingredients.

Enfield is now the first council in the UK whose cleaning contractors can only use BUAV-approved products.

BUAV chief executive Michelle Thew said: “The BUAV congratulates Enfield Council and its residents in taking this important stance.

"We urge other councils throughout the UK to adopt a similar position, and support our campaign to end the cruelty and suffering inflicted on animals to test cleaning products."

The BUAV campaign received success in Parliament recently, when all major parties pledged to put a ban on animal testing for household products in their manifestos for the next election.

In 1997 the Government decided to stop granting licences for cosmetics tests on animals, but there is no such prohibition for household products.

The BUAV’s Humane "Cosmetics Standard" and "Household Products Standard" are recognisable by the Leaping Bunny logo, an internationally recognised and patented cruelty-free certification.

For a list of BUAV-approved products, visit www.gocrueltyfree.org.