VEGAN Festival is coming to Swindon for the first time this year in an animal-product-free extravaganza set to tickle the taste buds of even the most passionate meat-lovers.

More than 300 people are expected to attend the celebration at The Victoria pub, in Old Town, tomorrow, when vegans and non-vegans alike will gather to share the benefits of joining one of the fastest growing food movement of a generation.

There will be music, guest speakers and educational stalls during the afternoon, as well as tasty dishes to try.

The Victoria's staff are cooking up a vegan menu which will include burgers, fruit shakes and doughnuts with chocolate sauce.

Organiser Kelz Clarkson, 34, from Rodbourne, converted from vegetarianism to veganism in January last year.

“There were a few meltdowns and mistakes during the few months but I always class that as my veganniversary,” she said.

“You have to be careful when you talk about veganism because people can see it as a major life change, some people are offended by it and others think it’s some kind of cult.

“But it’s good for your health, it’s good for animals and it’s good for the planet.

“There will be a variety of stalls to show people how easy it is to adopt this lifestyle and to educate them about animals.

“People aren’t aware – that is what worries me the most.

“I don’t believe we should eat animals.

“Even if you are the firmest believer that you need to eat animals to survive, I don’t think people are aware of the cruelty they suffer.”

Netflix aired documentary What the Health earlier this year which explored the effects of animal products on the body, and Kelz thinks programmes like this can help debunk myths about veganism.

She insists she gets all the nutrition she needs for her active lifestyle.

“I don’t miss out on any foods and I can keep up with everybody else at my gym,” she said.

“My husband went vegan in July after we went to a big vegan festival in Nottingham.

“His biggest fear was not being able to eat milk and cheese, but for every product that you have out there there’s a vegan replacement.

“Most companies have realised this is the fastest growing lifestyle development of our generation.

“Even Ben and Jerry’s have come up with vegan alternatives!”

Speakers at the festival include photographer Emma Lord who will display images of rescued animals and Tony Bloomfield from Animal Equality.

The charity will provide headsets which show real footage from inside abattoirs and factory farms.

“Those headsets are what turned my husband into a vegan,” said Kelz.

“You can see the animals, you can see the workers, you can see what’s happening – you just can’t stop it.

“It is horrendous – the ‘life of a pig’ one was the most horrifying.

“It shows them continuously giving birth and being forced to lie down.”

Kelz’s project to bring a touch of veganism to Swindon has surpassed all her expectations.

“We had no idea how popular this was going to be,” she said.

“We have had just pure positivity and it has been fantastic.”

Kelz advises vegan-curious people to try it for one day a week, perhaps doing a meat-free Monday.

“I was on six or seven tablets a day before, but now I don’t take any,” she said.

Swindon Vegan Festival will be held at The Victoria in Victoria Road on Sunday from 1-6pm.

Donations on the door will go to a local farm rescue charity.