FOOD lovers in Southend will be urged to go vegan for the day when a special event heads to the city centre.

Viva, the UK’s leading vegan campaign group, has put in a licensing application to Southend Council for a Vegan Burger Tour at Victoria Circus, at the top of the High Street.

Bosses are hoping to get a permit approved to host a special event on August 11 and share the message that “going vegan is the single biggest thing you can do to protect the planet”.

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It forms part of a larger tour which will see Viva visit six different cities in England between August 11 and 16 in a bid to persuade people to eat more environmentally-friendly foods.

Jasmine Clark, environment campaigner at Viva, is the main applicant behind the Vegan Burger Tour. 

She said: “We hope to get a permit approved to have our vegan burger van come to Southend.

“We will be handing out free sample sizes of vegan burgers to the public while sharing the message that going vegan is the single biggest thing you can do to protect the planet.

“While people are then queuing for the burgers, Viva staff will be on hand to have discussions about our organisation, veganism, and our campaign.

“We will also be handing out leaflets and campaign materials for more information, and links to a Vegan Recipe Club for people to take their first steps towards veganism.

“This event aims to raise awareness, to educate, but to also support the public and answer any questions they may have.”

Both vegans and non-vegans are urged to attend the event.

Viva will also be visiting Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge, Peterborough, and Leicester, providing applications are approved.

Jasmine Cadded: “During our events we hand out thousands of free samples to encourage people to try vegan-alternatives.

“We believe getting people to try vegan food is the best approach for change  and plan to show that you don’t need meat to enjoy a good burger!”