A FORMER teacher who decided to follow a vegan lifestyle four years ago has been nominated as one of the counties hottest vegan’s over 50.

Mike Olive, from Buckskin, has been a life-long vegetarian, but four years ago decided to take the plunge and cut dairy out of his diet after feeling he was a “hypocrite” for consuming dairy.

The 82-year-old said that since making the decision to go vegan he has never felt better, and it is a choice that he doesn’t hesitate to share with friends and family in the hope of persuading them to go vegan, too.

Now, the self-proclaimed “lifelong friend of animals” has been named as one of 12 finalists in the inaugural UK and Ireland’s Hottest Vegan Over 50 Competition, which organised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

PETA director Elisa Allen said: “Mike Olive is a dedicated, compassionate, lifelong hero for animals.

“All the finalists of PETA’s Hottest Vegan Over 50 Competition are true testaments to the vitality and joy that come from vegan eating.”

The charity aims to educate policymakers and the public about cruelty to animals and promote an understanding of the right of all animals to be treated with respect.

In being put forward for this year’s competition, if he wins Mr Olive will receive a complimentary one-night stay for two people in the world’s first all-vegan hotel suite, inside the five-star Hilton London Bankside Hotel.

The judges of the competition will rate the 12 finalists on several factors, including vote count, with the winner being announced on August 12.

PETA offers a free vegan starter kit available online.

To find out more about the competition and the work that PETA does visit peta.org.uk/living/uk-and-irelands-hottest-vegan-competition-2019.