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When a silent protest was unexpectedly held outside a Topsham butchers, the owner decided to join in too.

Yesterday afternoon, two young women stood on the pavement outside Arthur’s Butchery and Delicatessen and propped up a sign saying, ‘In memory of the animals who didn’t want to die’, which they stood behind while each holding a pink rose.

Billy Shibouni, who runs the butchers with his wife Alex, was unable to move them because they were not on private land and decided to show his different opinion by making his own sign and stood next to them holding it.

Billy's sign pointed at the two women and said "This protest is...." followed by two pictures of a bull and a pile of excrement .

The protest caused much amusement for locals and passersby and remained peaceful during the couple of hours they were there.

Alex, who know runs the shop following the death of her mum four months ago, recalled: “The protestors arrived early yesterday afternoon with no pre-warning and had apparently been to Darts Farm but they had been moved on as they were on private land.

“When they turned up they spoke to one of our members of staff and said what they were going to do. It was a silent protest but if people spoke to them they answered questions.

“They said they were from a society which is part of a global movement. I don’t think their protest was directed in the right place. There is a Co-op opposite us which sells meat and they don’t look into animals welfare like we do.

“We make sure that we buy our meat from the correct places and that the animals have been treated well and have good lives before they become meat. Most of meat is locally sourced apart from our beef which is Aberdeen-Angus from Scotland.

“We did tell that to the protestors but they were brain washed and wouldn’t listen to anything.

“We didn’t want to cause any trouble and everyone is entitles to their opinion so Billy decided to go out there with them and show our opinion.

“We are just a little local business. My mum owned it for 33 years until she passed away four months ago, and I’ve been running it for two years.

“We’re just trying to keep her legacy going. We are passionate about what we do so felt it was a bit personal.”