Animal rights protesters were told to “get a job” by an Only Way is Essex star.

Romford Recorder: Lucy Mecklenburgh. Picture: Ian West/PA WireLucy Mecklenburgh. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Essex Animal Defenders staged an anti-fur protest outside Lucy’s Boutique, owned by Lucy Mecklenburgh, in Ongar Road, Brentwood, on Tuesday.

Romford Recorder: The Essex Animal Defenders demo outside Lucy Mecklenburgh's shopThe Essex Animal Defenders demo outside Lucy Mecklenburgh's shop (Image: Archant)

Around eight protesters targeted the store – as part of a series of protests against shops selling fur in the town centre - but the star said her boutique doesn’t sell fur products.

She posted on Twitter: “To all the fur protesters at my shop firstly I don’t have any fur in my shop and get a job rather than bothering shops that don’t even have fur!”

Protester Marcia Hagon said that the group had researched which stores in the area sell fur products and believe that it did.

She added: “I found that comment quite insulting, with all due respect, when it comes from somebody who’s made their money from a bad television programme.

“Most of us do work full time and we were giving up our time for the protest.”

The group is planning to continue its anti-fur protests in the area. Marcia added: “There are cruelty-free alternatives to fur.”

A police spokesman said the protest was peaceful.