SHOPPERS looked on in surprise when a group of women chained themselves to the Queen's Monument in Maidstone town centre.

The mock protest was organised by Maidstone Borough Council in a bid to remind the electorate why it's important to vote in next week's local elections.

Actors from the Rochester-based Little Theatre Company re-enacted what would have been a familiar scene in the early years of the last century.

The Suffragettes fought to win the vote for women by chaining themselves to railings, marching for the cause, breaking windows, getting arrested and being forcibly fed by prison authorities.

One of the defining moments of their campaign was at the 1913 Derby when Emily Davidson attempted to snatch the reigns of the King's horse.

That protest resulted in her death, robbing her of the opportunity to celebrate with others, when in 1918, the right to vote was granted.

Ninety years on the Maidstone High Street protest was not as drastic but its message just as relevant amid growing apathy. Two-thirds of Maidstone residents did not bother to vote last time with the turnout among the lowest in Kent.

Maidstone council has embarked on a two-pronged campaign to increase turnout and encourage the use of postal voting, which unlike previous years is now open to everyone.

This year's campaign has included advertisments in the Kent Messenger newspaper, the council's newsletter, a roadshow at various locations across the borough, a flyer to every house and the standard poll cards which promoted the option of postal voting.

Returning officer Richard Snaith said he hoped people would get the message.

He said: "When you consider the lengths some people went to in order to get the right to vote everyone should make sure they use it now."