Experiments on genetically modified mice have pushed the number of animals used in scientific research through the 3m mark for the first time since 1991.

The rise of 4 per cent from last year marked the fifth year running that the number of animal procedures increased. Releasing the annual laboratory statistics, John Richmond, head of the Home Office scientific procedures division, said: “We expect the total to increase further [in years to come] because the research infrastructure is in place to make more use of GM animals,” he added.