A YORK man could be just a few public votes away from being named Britain and Ireland's hottest vegan.

Twenty-six year old Lawrence Crawford has beaten the competition to become one of seven male finalists in PETA's UK and Ireland's Hottest Vegan Competition 2017.

York Press:

Lawrence, who works as a community support developer, calls himself "a nature-loving big kid" and says he likes to show kindness and compassion to all living beings on a daily basis.

Lawrence added: "I like to think of myself as a whistle-blower for animals and am always prepared to speak up for their justice and rights, whether it's on the street or behind the computer. If we can't be kind to animals, how will we ever be kind to each other?"

Voting is now open to decide which two of the 14 finalists - one man and one woman - will take the title, and PETA say the winners will be determined by several factors including the public vote.

PETA director Elisa Allen added: "Vegans are, on average, slimmer and healthier and have more energy than their meat-eating peers – plus, there's nothing hotter than compassion. Each one of the finalists in PETA's contest is a testament to how sexy vegans are – inside and out."

Each winner will get an eight-course vegan taster menu for two at top London restaurant Gauthier Soho.

Voting is open on www.peta.org.uk until July 28 and the winner will be announced by August 4.