A PROTEST demonstration was held at a Kent port handling live animal exports for the first time.

Sheerness Docks is currently the destination for hundreds of calves from across the UK.

A wreath was handed to security staff at the entrance to the docks at the end of a noisy but peaceful protest march through the town on Saturday.

Angela Walder, chairman of the Isle of Sheppey branch of the RSPCA, presented the wreath which had a card on it stating "God Bless All Suffering Animals."

The protestors are opposed to the transportation of live animals through the docks and they also obtained more than 100 signatures on a petition to stop the trade.

Miss Walder said: “These male calves are a by-product of the dairy industry. They should be humanely put down at birth and transported on the hook rather than on the hoof. A lot of the calves are destined to become veal on the continent.”

The calves normally go through Dover but the closure of a berth there for a fortnight's maintenance forced shipping agents to look elsewhere.

A spokesman for Sheerness Docks said it was their duty to support a legal trade which was only for a fortnight while the berth was being repaired.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S SHEERNESS TIMES GUARDIAN