A Kent beach was covered in 98 pairs of red shoes to highlight the lives lost in the past year in cases of violence against women.

The tribute at Birchington beach in Thanet was held yesterday by the family of Claire Knights, who was found dead with blunt-force injuries after disappearing while walking her dog in Minnis Bay.

A 20-year-old man is set to stand trial accused of her murder.

Speaking to KentOnline about why they set up the installation to mark Claire’s 55th birthday, her sister said: “The reason we are doing it there, is that Claire loved Minnis Bay and swimming there.

“It is to celebrate her life, so that is why we are doing it.”

Claire’s body was found near Minnis Bay in Birchington on August 25 last year.

She had gone missing while walking her dog in the area two days previously, and an inquest said she suffered blunt-force injuries in what was described as a “violent or unnatural death”.

Harrison Lawrence-van Pooss, 20, from Margate, was later charged with murder and is expected to stand trial on June 4.

Yesterday, Claire’s family placed 98 red shoes on the sand in Birchington - each one for a woman killed by violence in the UK last year.

Claire, who lived in Upstreet near Canterbury, has been described as a “trailblazer” in life.

A pair of heels was put out specially for the mother, along with a candle, shells and a Corona bottle top.

Her sister said: “She would have gone for a long dog walk, met up with friends and probably had a pint of Guinness or two.

“This joy has been taken from her and us.

“These 98 pairs of red shoes represent 98 women, including my beautiful sister, who were killed in 2023, and who should have been able to walk through life free of fear.”

Every set had the name of one of these women written inside.

The project has been borrowed, with permission, from Mexican artist Elina Chauvet.

She created “Zapalos Rojos”, which translates to Red Shoes, to highlight the tragedy of femicide, including the loss of her own sister.

It has since been replicated in Norway, Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, Ecuador, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Africa and the UK.

Her younger sibling added: “I felt it's such a powerful image.

“I think it was quite fitting to use an artist's installation because Claire was an artist.

“She did a huge project – one of the biggest paintings ever created – in Herne Bay so she was very much into art installation and activism.”

The painting was called ‘The Big Picture – Flogging a Dead Horse’ and was completed in 2017.

It was on the hockey club’s old astroturf and was open to anyone to take part in.

The family previously paid tribute to the much-loved artist, saying: “Claire was a loving mum, partner, daughter and sister.

“An amazing contemporary artist, a trailblazer in life. She loved animals and in particular, her Springer Spaniel, Zebulon.

“We, the family, are struggling to come to terms with the fact she is no longer with us.

“We wish to thank friends and the community for their active support and kind words.”