DORSET animal lovers and foodies are being invited to visit this year's Bournemouth Vegan Fair ,

Taking place on Sunday June 28 at the Pavilion from 11am - 4pm, the event will host around 70 stalls and visitors will be able to sample tasters, collect recipes and talk to suppliers and experts.

There will also be the opportunity to watch Cowspiracy: the Sustainability Secret and hear from vegan world record holder and marathon runner Fiona Oakes.

Selling everything from tasty raw snacks to vegan shoes, many of the stallholders are from the local area including Meatfree Martha, Mrs B’s Homemade, Lush and Gold Hill Organics.

Organiser Lizzi Shaw from Dorset Vegan said: “We are so excited to be bringing the vegan fair back to Bournemouth!

“With more and more people turning to plant-based diets as a healthy, cruelty free and environmentally friendly way to live, we’re expecting the event to be really popular. It will be great to bring together so many fabulous products and services under one roof and showcase the best of what is available on the growing vegan market.

“Last year’s event was so successful that we’ve moved it to a bigger venue this year and doubled the size to offer an even greater range to our visitors.”

“There will also be talks throughout the day to give people new ideas and show just how easy, nutritious and delicious it can be to live a vegan lifestyle.”

Lizzi set up Dorset Vegan two years ago as a guide to vegan-friendly restaurants, cafes and local businesses. Since then she has been surprised at the level of support shown by Bournemouth eateries and businesses.

She added “In recent years veganism has become infinitely more popular with people really recognising the many benefits it brings. In Bournemouth I have noticed a large increase in the number of restaurants catering for vegans as well as products available in local shops.”

“This makes it so simple for those who choose to live this way of life and events like this only strengthen the vegan community. We’re hoping people come along, learn new things and really take something away from the experience.”

“Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just curious we’re welcoming everyone along and hoping that some people might be pleasantly surprised. The event costs £1 to enter and the first 75 arrivals will receive goody bags”

The event is sponsored by Vegfest UK, Bournemouth vegetarian restaurant, Zoukinis and the Vegan Lifestyle Association.

Chantal Denny is the Founder and Managing Director of the Vegan Lifestyle Association (VLA), an international not-for-profit organisation which promotes the multiple benefits of a vegan lifestyle.

She said: “Like us, the Bournemouth Vegan Fair is relatively new on the vegan scene, and it’s brilliant to see it go from strength to strength. Within the first two months of launching the VLA, over 1,000 vegans, vegetarians and omnivores from across the world joined as associates looking for support and advice on making the transition to a vegan lifestyle. And with over 2,000 people expected to attend this year’s Bournemouth Vegan Fair it just goes to show that the appetite for veganism is really on the increase, as more and more people discover just how rewarding and easy it is to be vegan.”

For more information or to join the Vegan Lifestyle Association for free, visit veganlifestyleassoc.com or follow on Twitter at twitter.com/VeganLifeAssoc or see bournemouthveganfair.co.uk