An “exploitative” reptile and amphibian market due to be held at a school will not go ahead following the intervention of an animal rights group.

The Animal Protection Agency said it was “grateful” swift action had been taken to prevent the event from taking place at the Leigh Academy Rainham tomorrow (Saturday, July 13).

The group claimed the market involved the alleged illegal sale of reptiles and amphibians to the public.

It praised school lettings provider, Vivify Venues for withdrawing permission for use of the site in Otterham Quay Lane after it claimed it was likely to be “unwittingly facilitating criminal activities”. Medway Council was also commended for promptly looking into the issue.

Trading in pet animals at market stalls was outlawed on the grounds that "animal welfare cannot be safeguarded in temporary and makeshift environments", the APA said.

At such markets, animals are said to be displayed and sold in small, plastic, takeaway tubs and denied basic welfare requirements.

Animal welfare groups have a long running campaign to banish the markets which they say are a danger to both the animals and the public.

They also carry out in-depth investigations to find out when they are happening so they can put a stop to them.

Elaine Toland, director of the APA, said: “We see sensitive wild animals: lizards, frogs, snakes treated very much as inanimate objects.

“They really are the most abhorrent conditions that we see at these events.”

She praised Medway Council’s action but said elsewhere councils need to “robustly” enforce the legislation which came into force in 1983 and bring more prosecutions.

Increasingly, she says the events are being carried out in secret in a bid to thwart the authorities from taking action.

"The organisers of these markets resort to measures such as keeping event locations secret, which obviously makes the job more difficult for enforcement authorities,” she added.

“It does seem to be growing in popularity so we do need enforcement authorities to help us to gather information to make sure these events are stamped out.”

Ms Toland said venues are often tricked into hosting the banned events believing they are shows or exhibitions.

She added: “We never blames the schools for taking the booking because on the face of it they are described as legitimate meetings or shows.”

The market cancelled this week is now believed to be taking place at an undisclosed venue in Ashford.

“We are hoping to trace the new venue in time to alert the authorities and prevent any further criminal activities,” Ms Toland added.

Laura Walton, campaigns manager for the charity Freedom for Animals, added: “The suffering caused to animals as a result of being transported in tiny plastic tubs, and put on display for hours on end at these events, often without any food or water, is an utter disgrace; and why the trading of animals at markets was rightly banned.

“We welcome the news that Vivify Venues have cancelled this exploitative event, and applaud their proactive response to prevent animal suffering.

“These profit-driven markets must cease to exist, and the rights and wellbeing of all animals better protected."

Anyone with helpful information about the location of the event in Ashford is urged to email the Animal Protection Agency at info@apa.org.uk.

A spokesman for Medway Council said: “The council always works hard with all parties involved for the best interests of animals.”

Vivify Venues declined to comment.