VEGANS and vegetarians in Worcester will be hosting a ‘cruelty-free Christmas fair’ to help people enjoy the season without harming animals.

The event, which will take place in the Angel Centre, Angel Place, between 11am and 4pm on Saturday, Dec-ember 21, is aimed at educating members of the public that they can follow a diet and lifestyle that reduces the suffering and slaughter of animals.

Ronald Lee, communications officer for Worcester-shire Vegans and Veggies, said the group’s members were constantly asked what they eat at Christmas.

“It's important for us to show people they can enjoy delicious Christmas meals that don't involve the suffering and slaughter of other animals,” he said.

“A ‘cruelty-free’ event at Christmas time is particularly important, because people may be wondering how they can enjoy Christmas without consuming turkey and the especially large amount of animal products that are eaten at this time of year.

“In addition, it's important to show people they can buy gifts, such as cosmetics, that have not been tested on animals.”

Around 20 million turkeys are killed in the UK each year, a third of that number being around Christmas time.

Mr Lee also noted that there was an increase in the consumption of other meat products, such as duck, chicken and pork during the festive season.

At the event there will be stalls selling vegan cookbooks, jewellery, hand-made soap, speciality chocolates and other craft items. There will also be fund-raising stalls by local animal sanctuaries and animal protection campaigns and a tombola, talks, workshops and vegan food.

“There will be no animal products or animal-tested items on sale at the fair which will enable shoppers to enjoy a compassionate Christmas without hurting animals,” said Mr Lee, a vegan for 41 years.

The group, which operates all year round, does not re-quire its members to have a certain diet and instead helps people with anything from cutting down on meat to maintaining a vegan lifestyle.

“It’s the suffering and slaughter caused to other animals by humans that we don’t approve of, especially as it’s easily possible for people to live very healthily on a vegan diet free from meat and other animal products,” Mr Lee said.

“Our group exists to help and encourage people to do their best in terms of adopting a more humane diet and lifestyle, so although we promote veganism as the preferable option, we also welcome vegetarians and anyone who wants to reduce their consumption of meat and other animal products.”

For more information, visit worcsveg.org.uk, e-mail info @worcsveg.org.uk or call 01562 700043.