An aid convoy of up to 100 vehicles rolled into Ramsgate on Saturday afternoon(February 14)on the start of a 4,700 mile “lifeline” mission to troubled Gaza.

The fire engines, ambulances, lorries and other vehicles which joined the 'Viva Palestina’ relief effort were piled high with clothes, medicines, toys and food.

Drivers will take more than three weeks to reach the Palestinian territory, which faces a humanitarian crisis following Israel’s recent offensive.

More than 1,000 people are said to have been killed in the violence, which has left many thousands more homeless.

George Galloway, the Respect MP who was expected to join the convoy this week, said: “Thousands of people have contacted me to say that they have marched in protest, cried at the television pictures and feel helpless in the face of the suffering.

“This lifeline from Britain to Gaza has been quite an undertaking.”

The huge convoy arrived in Ramsgate for an evening crossing to Ostend, from where it will trek through France, Spain and across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco.

The vehicles will then head east along the Mediterranean coast through Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt before crossing the border into Gaza.