WINCHESTER businessmen and political leaders rallied at the House of Commons in a battle to save one of the world’s rarest animals.

Over 100 people gathered in Westminster, including host MP Steve Brine and Stephen Pomeroy, the Winchester-based marketing agency Remarkable Group, to petition in aid of the Global White Lion Protection Trust.

White lions, which are scarcer than Himalayan Snow Leopards, are technically extinct in the wild with only 500 remaining in captivity across the globe.

Mr Brine said: "The whole area of conservation, among threatened species and our environment, was what inspired me to stop shouting at the TV and get active in political life in the first place so this was an easy one for me to support.

“These white lions are truly beautiful and there is definitely something spiritual about them; I am going to work with Linda and the charity to help them wherever I can through my role in Parliament."

Remarkable Group chief executive, Stephen Pomeroy, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support the essential work undertaken by the trust, a charity that is very close to my heart.

“The team has worked hard in recent months to drum up support of this event, and raise awareness of the trust; it is fantastic to see such a successful outcome.”