Animal rights group PETA has called for officials in Leicester to rename the city’s Pork Pie Roundabout to promote healthier food and help the environment.

PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – said “this is not a pie-in-the-sky request” in a letter sent to Leicester Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby.

The organisation said the junction should be called Vegan Pie Roundabout to “help reduce Leicester’s concerning obesity rates”.

The term “vegan” was coined in Leicester in 1944 and changing the name would be a “great way” to celebrate the city’s “pie-loving heritage”.

The roundabout in south Leicester gets its name from a nearby library which is said to look like a pork pie when viewed from above.

PETA’s senior campaigns manager, Kate Werner, wrote: “This is not a pie-in-the-sky request. Eating a varied plant-based diet has been shown to prevent heart disease, diabetes, abdominal fat, and cancer.

“Vibrant vegan foods also have less saturated fat, fewer calories, and less cholesterol than their meaty counterparts.

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“Encouraging people to eat plant-based could also help lessen the burden on Leicester’s already overstretched NHS.

“The United Nations has stated that a global shift towards plant-based eating is urgently needed to combat the worst effects of the climate catastrophe, so this name change would be a fantastic way to support Leicester’s Climate Emergency Strategy.

“And since the word ‘vegan’ was coined in Leicester by Donald Watson in 1944, it would also be a great way to celebrate the city’s vegan and pie-loving heritage.”

PETA added that local companies Pukka Pies and Samworth Brothers offer popular vegan pies.

“The vegan pie category attracted the most entries at the British Pie Awards in Melton last year, as more and more people are choosing plant-based foods,” it said.

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“Eating vegan helps spare sensitive, intelligent animals a lifetime of suffering.

“You can help stop this cruelty with a name change that will inspire residents to choose vegan foods.

“There’s never been a better time to stop going around in circles and take a bite out of Leicester’s dangerous obesity crisis.”

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