VEGANS used art to spread their message in a night of activism in Swindon.

The group was equipped with chalks to promote an alternative lifestyle rejecting the use of animal products.

Activist Tom Hartnell held the event from 8pm to 8am in Regent Street as part of the Worldwide Vegan Chalking Night.

“We wanted to raise awareness of veganism, spreading positive message. It happened in 64 countries,” said Tom.

“We feel that people are starting to go that way, starting to think about veganism as a serious option.

"We just want to get people thinking about it as something they can do and realising that it is something for ourselves, for our health. It is also shown to be the biggest single thing we can do for climate change as individuals.

“And it’s most importantly for the animals because they don’t have a voice, so we are trying to be that voice for them.”

Tom has been vegan for nearly five years.

He said: “I read a book which describes what happens to animals and I just thought that it is not something I wanted to contribute in.

“I believe that veganism is related to business, if there’s less demand for these things, then they are not going to be sold anymore, because every time you go to the supermarket you can vote whether you want this industry to carry on or whether you want to put your money somewhere else.”

The idea of a chalking night came from Spain last summer with a group of people who wanted to use art as a form of communication. It has been spread all over the world with several town and cities in the UK now taking part of the challenge.

“I’ve been involved in other vegan activism and I think this is quite a positive one to do, it is a gentle way of getting the message across,” said Tom.

“I think different things appeal to different people. Some people watch videos , others don’t want to watch them whereas words are something that they’ll hold on to.”

A 29-year-old activist, who wished not to be named, added: “I’m just here standing for animal rights. I’ve been vegan for two years and I haven’t touched meat since I was 19 years old.

“It was important to be here, because if you present it in a polite manner with colours and facts, people are more willing to pay attention than slaughter videos, because they don’t necessarily to watch that. But if they see innocent drawings on the floor it makes people think.”