ANIMAL rights activists have urged the landlords of New Forest pub the Fighting Cocks to change the name to 'the Clever Cocks'.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claim the pub’s historic name "calls to mind the violence and gore of a hideous blood sport so cruel that it has been outlawed in the UK for more than a century".

In a letter to landlords Tim and Kay Eyre, PETA's Dawn Carr said: "You see, chickens just want to be loved.

"We hope a name change to the Clever Cocks would encourage people to rethink the way we treat chickens and grant these birds the respect and kindness that they deserve."

The Fighting Cocks, in Godshill near Fordingbridge, was built in 1927 opposite an original cock pit, replacing its thatched predecessor of the same name which is thought to have been around for several centuries.

Landlord Mr Eyre told the Daily Echo he was planning to do "nothing" in response to the letter.

"I am totally against any sort of cruelty to animals, but I don't think anyone looking at our sign is going to go down the road, grab two birds and make them fight," he said.

"A lot of pubs come with history and we are connected with the Fighting Cocks Squadron who were based around here during the Second World War.

"It would also be very expensive to change the name and all our signs and menus."

PETA also provided several 'chicken facts' for coasters, saying that hens are attracted to cocks with large wattles, mourn when they lose a loved one, and have demonstrated signs of mathematical reasoning.