A NORTH Oxford pub is hoping its recognition as one of the UK’s most vegan-friendly pubs will encourage people in the county to eat less meat.

The Gardeners Arms in Plantation Road was shortlisted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) as one of the top 10 vegan pubs and was praised for its selection of vegan items.

Pub owners Paul Silcock and Andy Skinner said they were pleased their genuine belief in veganism had paid off.

Mr Silcock said: “It’s amazing to have been recognised by a charity as big as Peta because they have the same ethical thoughts and beliefs as us.

“We’re offering people an easy vegan option and even if people are eating vegan or vegetarian food for one night a week, that’s brilliant and a step forward.”

Patrons of the charity particularly complimented the pub’s mushroom pie cooked in sage and red wine gravy, their vegetarian chilli hot dog and the Indian Thali platter.

Peta associate director Elisa Allen said: “Peta encourages all British eateries to look to this pub for inspiration.”