Banner waving campaigners demanding an end to live animal exports have staged a protest outside the Eastern Docks, Dover.

Placards were also out in force and the aim of the demonstration was to raise the profile of the latest plea from KAALE to holiday-makers using the port on one of the busiest weekends of the summer.

Yvonne Birchall, secretary of Kent Action Against Live Exports, said: “About 200 supporters were at the docks today, which was a wonderful turnout. But I always say I want more people to join our demonstrations.

“It was a good day and we had lots of support from passing members of the public so the event did help to raise KAALE’s protest.”

Mrs Birchall, whose husband Ian is the group’s chairman, has been involved in the protest against animal exports since 1995.

She added: “People have got to see that being shipped out of Dover is just the beginning of the animals’ journey. There is no need to export when they can be killed in this country.

“I don’t think people understand the cruelty involved. We are campaigning for the health of the animals, especially in this heat.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals urged people to join today’s demonstration.

Dover RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: “We wanted to make sure that holidaymakers who were sailing off to have a delightful time with their families on the continent understand that sadly from the Port of Dover animals are being shipped to a grisly fate in European abattoirs.”

* For full story and more photos see the Dover Mercury and the East Kent Mercury, August 8.