Three women who chained themselves to a tree in protest beside a railway track have been fined for trespassing.

The trio were among 100 people with placards campaigning against plans to clear embankments beside the line in Whistable last month.

Now they have been issued with £50 fixed penalty notices.

One of the women - Julie Wassmer, of Cromwell Road, Whitstable - was visited by British Transport Police officers and questioned about their actions.

She said: "We have all been given fixed penalty notices and if we choose to pay then nothing else will happen.

"I was told that paying the fine was not an admission of guilt and it would not give us a record.

“It is a bit like a traffic ticket I guess, though a bit more complicated I think.

"I have three weeks in which to pay and I am now taking legal advice about it and considering my options.”

Campaigners said the trees, which are behind Cromwell Road, are home to dozens of pairs of breeding birds.

Network Rail bosses have now decided to delay any clearance work until September after finding evidence of rare birds nesting beside the track.