LIVE exports of British sheep and lambs began again this month. At the dead of night a convoy of 21 overcrowded lorries sped through Dover.

The hauliers worked under cover of darkness. Crammed inside the trucks were 9,000 severely distressed live sheep.

As the convoy arrived at the dock, the lorry doors opened and the exhausted, terrified lambs poured out, trying desperately to stay upright and avoid trampling each other.

The lambs, used to sleeping safely by their mothers at night, were driven aboard the NV Breant, to be shipped to Dunkirk on a mammoth journey to unknown horrors.

Last seen heading east through France, the young sheep faced another ordeal.

The animal welfare organisation, Compassion In World Farming, believes that the lambs were destined for inhumane killing, without pre-stunning.

Compassion in World Farming is running a campaign to end live exports, replacing them with a trade in carcases. Readers who believe that this cruel trade should stop can help by contacting CIWF on 01730 264208 or sending a donation to Compassion in World Farming, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 3EH.

C Tweddle,

Moorside,

Tockwith, York.

Updated: 10:31 Friday, October 28, 2005