THE Railway Hotel in Southend has ranked among the top ten vegan-friendly UK pubs.

Peta, the largest animal rights organisation in the world, searched the UK for the pubs with the best selection of high-quality vegan dishes.

The Railway, in Clifftown Road, ranked among the best, offering its visitors mouth-watering options such as the freshly made Italian pizzas with a vegan sausage and bacon.

Among the variety of dessert offerings are a rich mint-chocolate “cheesecake” and a zingy apple and rhubarb calzone.

Winners were chosen based on a number of criteria, including their reputation and the selection and quality of vegan items on their menu.

Elisa Allen, associate director at Peta, said: “We’re raising our glasses to the Railway Hotel for offering its patrons wonderful vegan dishes to nosh on while theywet their whistles.

“Peta encourages all British eateries to look to this pub for inspiration and feed Britons’ growing hunger for food that’s as satisfying and delicious as it is healthy and humane.”

Each pub will receive a framed certificate and be featured on Peta’s website.