A CAMPAIGNING pensioner is today urging fellow OAPs to join her in protesting against live animal exports from Ipswich.Retired teacher Helen Stollery is one of a group of peaceful campaigners who have vowed to fight against the controversial trade during the coming week.

A CAMPAIGNING pensioner is today urging fellow OAPs to join her in protesting against live animal exports from Ipswich.

Retired teacher Helen Stollery is one of a group of peaceful campaigners who have vowed to fight against the controversial trade during the coming week.

Mrs Stollery said she felt so passionate about stopping what she described as the cruel treatment of live animals being shipped to Europe that she was happy to take to the streets in an attempt to stop it.

Yesterday the 64-year-old could be seen holding a placard with fellow protestors from Ipswich Animal Rights by the entry to the West Bank terminal at Ipswich Port, after it emerged the trade of live-animals had restarted form the port.

She said: “I am completely against this awful trade because of the suffering of the animals on the journey.

“They are taken on these dreadful journeys which they can't cope with.”

Mrs Stollery, who lives in west Ipswich, said the exporting of live animal was one of the issues that first ignited her passion for animal rights in the early 1990s when she and her late husband, Chris, joined the silent march in Ipswich after the Essex port of Brightlingsea became embroiled in a row over the issue.

She said: “Once you see the animals in the lorries with your own eyes then you feel you have to do something about it.

“I've always loved animals but when I was younger I wasn't particularly aware of the abuse they suffered. I think a lot of people become more aware of the issues as we get older.”

So for the committed vegetarian it was not a hard decision to join the group of protesters in her home town this week, an action which she said was completely supported by her five children and eight-grandchildren.

She added: “I don't think my age matters; we have people of all ages who get involved.

“I would encourage anyone who cares about animal welfare to help.

“Some elderly people who perhaps can't do physically active things can do a great deal by writing letters and e-mailing.”

A spokesman for Associated British Ports (ABP) said: “As the Statutory Harbour Authority for the Port of Ipswich, ABP is legally bound to handle all legitimate traffic.

“The shipment of livestock is a legal trade in the United Kingdom, monitored and regulated by government agencies such as Defra.”

What do you think about live exports leaving Ipswich Port? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.