ANIMAL rights protesters from Ramsgate hijacked the Turner Contemporary's opening of Rodin's The Kiss on Tuesday.

About 20 people, including a woman dressed as a cow in a makeshift cage, used the arrival of the iconic statue in Margate to voice their anger at the export of live animals from the Port of Ramsgate.

They were joined by district councillor Ian Driver, who held a placard saying "Live Export Kiss Of Death".

Mr Driver said: "It is very appropriate that today we have Rodin's The Kiss at the Turner Contemporary, and in Ramsgate we have the kiss of death with the animals being exported in the most horrendous conditions."

Police were present at the peaceful protest which continued for nearly two hours.

Turner Contemporary's head of communications, David Yard, said: "Our main response is that the information being distributed by the protesters is factually incorrect.

"Thanet District Council has been a key supporter of Turner Contemporary, providing the land on which the gallery stands. However, it does not fund any Turner Contemporary activity."

Bob Bayford, leader of Thanet council, was worried about the effects of the protest.

He said: "The council is extremely concerned and disappointed by today's opportunistic protest and the impact it may have both on Turner Contemporary and businesses in the area."

Thanet council is opposed to live animal exports, but officers say they have no legal grounds to refuse the trade.