Three animal rights protesters were arrested while trying to block six lorries of live sheep from entering the Port of Ramsgate last night.

A 39-year-old Broadstairs man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at 7.20pm and has been bailed until October 15 pending further enquiries.

Michelle Dennis, 46, of Chilton Lane, Ramsgate was charged with assaulting a police officer and will appear in court on October 8.

And a 46-year-old man from Ramsgate was issued with a caution for a public order offence.

The arrests follow a recent demonstration when more than 100 protesters gathered outside the docks on July 23.

A temporary ban on live animal exports from Ramsgate was put in place after the death of more than 40 sheep at the port in September 2012.

The authority lifted its temporary ban after legal advice and the RSPCA made a bid for a judicial review of the arrangements for the export of livestock from Ramsgate in December 2013 but the review was ruled out by a High Court judge in March 2014, allowing trade to begin again.

Live exports have been taking place from the council-owned port since May 2011.