PROTESTERS against the shipment of live animals from Ramsgate port are calling on every man, woman and child to march against what they describe as a "cruel and barbaric trade".

More than 200 protesters squeezed into a village hall in St Lawrence last Friday evening to hear rousing speeches from the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming.

District councillor Ian Driver called for Thanet residents to "act now" to stop exports.

The third shipment of calves and sheep left Ramsgate early last Wednesday. Protesters left purple ribbons tied to posts on the way into the port.

Mr Driver praised residents for turning out in such "huge numbers". He said: "Let's petition, let's march through the middle of Ramsgate.

"The only way we will stop this barbaric cruelty is if men, women and children join us."

Philip Lymbrey is the chief executive of Compassion in World Farming, which wants to change the conditions animals are bred in.

He said: "Some of the animals can travel up to 70 hours at a time and we know how awful this can be. How can this go on? If animals are to be slaughtered, it should be done as near to where they are reared as possible."

Kent farmer Frank Langrish, who has 10,000 sheep but has not used Ramsgate for live exports, was shouted down as he told protesters an abattoir in northern France was the nearest to his farm in Kent.

The National Farmers' Union spokesman said: "They should be on freight from Dover because it is a lot faster. It can take up to four hours from Ramsgate, compared with two hours from Dover."

Thanet council, which owns Ramsgate port, does not want the trade to continue but harbour boss Mark Seed says there is no legal way to prevent it.

The march, which has to be cleared by police, will be on August 13.