A LORRY-load of cattle was turned away from the Port of Ramsgate by Government officials.

The truck was stopped from travelling to France on Saturday morning after it was inspected and was forced to return to its base – believed to be in Gloucestershire.

Four lorries containing cattle were shipped to the continent on the cargo vessel Joline – the fourth such shipment from Ramsgate.

A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed a lorry had been turned away "as a result of a check undertaken" by local authorities and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency. They refused to confirm the reason why.

Onlooker, Gerard Bane, who watched as the animals went into the port, said: "The Lisbon Treaty says they are now under European statute as sentient, and therefore they should be treated as sentient beings.

"It came all the way to be turned back without any food and water. It's unacceptable for them to have to suffer in this way."

The latest shipment comes after Thanet council agreed at its meeting last Thursday to urge the Government to strengthen legislation to make it possible for ports to refuse the trade.

Thanet councillor Ian Driver, who brought the matter to the council, wants the authority to donate the money it gets from Joline for berthing fees, to an animal welfare charity dubbing the charge "blood money".

Leader of the council Bob Bayford said: "I would like to re-affirm that live animal exports is a dreadful business. As for Mr Driver's suggestion to make a donation to Compassion in World Farming, I have been advised it would be unlawful. We cannot use council money to do something that would not benefit people in Thanet."

Mr Driver is organising a protest march on Saturday, August 13, from Ramsgate's Ellington Park.