Marcus, the sheep reared at Lydd primary school and the subject of a campaign to save him from the abbatoir, has been slaughtered.

The plight of the six-month-old sheep attracted media attention across the country when word spread that he was to be killed for meat as part of the school's attempts to educate pupils about farming.

A proceeding raffle would see two people win freezer packs of lamb, with the money raised would be used by the school to buy more animals for the children.

But angry animal lovers have voiced their concerns, resutling in national headlines, TV coverage and a Facebook campaign.

TV star and Aldington resident Paul O'Grady told the BBC he would be happy to take charge of Marcus and a farmer from Brentwood in Essex e-mailed the school offeringthe sheep a safe haven.

But head teacher Andrea Charman, pictured below at a school lambing day in May, was adamant that the school's original plan, backed she says by pupils and staff, would go ahead.

Mrs Charman said: "The decision to send the lamb for meat, which has the support of the school council and staff, the governing body and the majority of parents, has now been carried out.

“When we started the farm in spring 2009, the aim was to educate the children in all aspects of farming life and everything that implies.

"The children have had a range of opportunities to discuss this issue, both in terms of the food cycle and the ethical aspect.

"There is overwhelming support for the school, locally and further afield.

"It is important for everyone to move on from this issue, so the children can focus on their education.”