VEGANS should head to Commercial Road at the weekend for the third Swindon Vegan Fest .

Visitors to The Rolleston and Level 3 are promised music, stalls, speakers and plenty of food to demonstrate the diversity of meat-free dining.

The venues were taken over earlier this year by landlord Darren Simons and his partner Violet McLaren, who have been involved with the festival since it began.

Violet said: “It started with a friend of mine who had been vegan for about a year.

“She was at the Vic one night and asked if we could possibly do something.

“It was very small the first year – we only had about 10 stalls and did some burgers and stuff – but it was such a success. We had about 800 people through the door.”

Violet believes there is no secret to the booming interest in veganism, or to the growth in the number of people willing to take the plunge and go animal product-free.

“People are more conscious of the environment, their health and and animal welfare,” she said.

“They’re making the change for a variety of reasons.”

All proceeds from Sunday’s gathering will go to vegan charities.

A variety of vegan food and drink will be on sale, as well as other items such as jewellery, and there will be henna tattooing.

There will even be a full roast Sunday lunch with gravy and cauliflower cheese, with every morsel completely devoid of animal products.

A number of animal rescue charities will be represented, including Cricklade’s Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre, and vegan speakers will offer advice.

Vegan Fest is on Sunday from noon to 5pm.