CAMPAIGNERS protesting against the export of live animals from Dover are expected to bring the docks to a standstill this Saturday.

The demonstration is being organised by members of Compassion in World Farming with people being bussed in from all over the country. The protestors will include writer Carla Lane and actress Sue Jameson.

The rally starts at Pencester Gardens at 1pm when the hundreds of protestors will march on the docks, arriving at about 2.30pm.

Exports of live lambs from Dover resumed last month with Farmers Ferry claiming it intended to export 500,000 lambs before the end of the year.

Carla Lane, whose TV successes include Bread and Butterflies, said: "The animals exported from Dover are destined for slaughter in Italian and Greek abattoirs where they are often killed in brutal fashion. They usually arrive at the slaughterhouse dehydrated and gasping for air in the intense summer heat."

She will speak at the rally, with other speakers, including MEP Mark Watts and Ian Burchill of KALE (Kent Against Live Exports).

CIWF wants animals slaughtered this side of the Channel and an NOP poll earlier this year showed 78 per cent of the public wanted to see live exports ended with 3,400 UK veterinary surgeons signing a petition also calling for the practice to stop.