Hundreds of people have joined a rally against the export of live farm animals for slaughter yesterday afternoon.

The march started in Ellington Park, Ramsgate and made its way to Harbour Parade where exports have been taking place from the council-owned port since May 2011.

Government figures reveal 7,236 sheep have been transported to Europe for slaughter between January 2013 and August 2014, mostly through the port of Ramsgate.

The march is supported by the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming. The RSPCA had speakers at the rally.

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett attended.

She said: “This cruel and unnecessary trade has to stop.

“There’s plentiful evidence that animals are being subjected to serious stress and suffering from these practices and if we are to be a humane society, as I know a majority of Britons want us to be, this cannot be allowed to continue.

“The Green Party is calling for an eight-hour limit on animal transport in the EU, which would effectively end this trade, but it is also in the hands of the Westminster Parliament to take a significant step towards improving animal protection by ending this trade.”

The protest came after 45 sheep died in chaotic scenes during an export at the port in 2012.

The march started at Ellington Park at noon and left the park at 1pm, making its way along the High Street to Harbour Parade for a rally between 2-3pm.

A social event took place at the Churchill Tavern from 4pm to 10pm.