Animal rights protestors had meat products waved in their faces by shoppers after they blocked the milk aisle of a supermarket.

Police were called to Sainsbury’s in Kingsmead Road, Canterbury, today after six supporters of climate and animal group Animal Rising occupied the store.

They held placards calling for the UK to adopt a plant-based food system.

The supporters arrived at about midday and occupied the shop floor for about 70 minutes.

And while there was support from customers, activists say two customers tried to provoke a response by hurling abuse and waving animal protects at them.

Chris Chudley, who participated in today’s protest, says the response was “varied”.

“It varied from strongly in support and nice comments to two people trying to provoke a reaction so with our non-violent training, they didn’t get that reaction,” the 22-year-old said.

“The staff were very courteous as were the police.

“We had some members of the public coming back to say they had swapped to plant milk.”

He says police arrived and spoke with members of the group, and left them to complete their protest.

Speaking about the abuse received, Mr Chudley added: “There were various insults, abuse and waving of animal products at us.

“It was one or two people but it was reasonably supportive.

“There is no prevention of anyone buying milk.

“We had some members of the public coming back to say they had swapped to plant milk...”

“We display placards and if anyone wants to talk, we are happy to chat.”

Other cities and towns in the UK where the group took action include Cambridge, Cornwall, and Bournemouth.

Earlier this year, the activists filled the meat aisles of two supermarkets in the county as part of a county-wide protest about the slaughtering of lambs for Easter.

Four Canterbury-based supporters occupied the meat aisles at Sainsbury's and Waitrose in the city centre.

Animal Rising activists blocked the Grand National at Aintree on April 15, which led to the race being delayed by 15 minutes and 118 arrests by police.

Another activist at today’s action, Kim Wainwright, from Hythe, says the group took action to highlight the “broken relationship with animals and nature”.

“The UK is a nation of animal lovers, yet we put them through the cruellest treatment and take milk produced for their babies,” the 50-year-old said.

“Not only is dairy cruel, but it is also a leading cause of the climate crisis. Yet, it doesn’t have to be like that.

“Science shows that plant-based milks are much better for the environment, don’t harm animals, and have all the nutrients we need for a healthy diet.

“We want to encourage the government to support farmers to transition to a plant-based food system, so that we can build a better world and protect the environment and animals we love so much.”