ANIMAL rights group PETA has written to a Bournemouth butchers asking the owner to consider becoming Britain’s first all-vegan butcher.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Pat Jenkins, who runs Mason’s butchers in Christchurch Road, Pokesdown, said she feared her business could close due to the demise of the high street and the rise in veganism.

She said: "Meat gets a lot of bad publicity. Veganism and vegetarianism is the hot topic with younger people. It seems that each generation coming up is less meat-orientated.”

Now PETA has written a letter to Ms Jenkins suggesting that they switch from selling meat to meat-free products which would “engage a new legion of local customers and capitalise on one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer market.”

The letter continues: “There is a huge, exciting variety of vegan meats available – from tofu hot dogs to “bleeding” burgers, steaks, faux gras, sausages, and even fakin’ bacon. Rebranding as Mason’s Vegan Butchers and switching to offering plant-based meats could see the business thrive for the next 60 years and beyond.”

The group invited Ms Jenkins the opportunity to discuss the suggestion in further detail.