ANIMAL rights activists took to the streets to convince shoppers to adopt a vegan lifestyle – but diet experts warned people to be cautious.

Animal Aid activists pitched up outside Marks and Spencer in the High Street on Monday to raise awareness about the suffering of farmed animals.

They called on people to watch moving footage of pigs on the final stage of their journey to an Essex slaughterhouse.

An Animal Aid spokesman said: “A lot of people stopped and engaged with the volunteers, and many wanted to know more about how to adopt a vegan lifestyle.

“We were really well received, and we believe that anybody can adopt a healthy vegan by taking the right steps.”

Vegans don’t eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.

And while nutrition experts in Chelmsford agree with Animal Aid’s plight to end cruelty to farmed animals, they said vegan diets aren’t for everyone.

Nutritional therapist Linda Perkins said: “We all have very different metabolisms and the vegan diet isn’t for everyone. I have worked with vegetarians who haven’t done so well, because they have lacked vital nutrients.

“People need to be cautious and plan extremely carefully before adopting a vegan diet.”

The 15 campaigners took to the streets after footage was filmed on 15 August, during a “meat vigil” held outside Cheale Meats slaughterhouse near Brentwood.

It purportedly shows pigs being transported in cramped, stressful conditions and receiving water and words of comfort from activists attending the vigil.

The Essex Pig Save group organises regular vigils outside the slaughterhouse.

A spokesman said its aim is to show compassion to the animals before they die, and to highlight the suffering faced by livestock.