WITH the number of vegans in the UK soaring to a reported 3.5 million - following a plant based diet has never been more popular.

Now people in York are being treated to a vegan comedy night, due to be headlined by Sarah Bennetto on Sunday, January 27, at the all-vegan True Story Café.

Billed as 'the world’s only vegan-specific comedy night', the Viva Las Vegans event promises to be a identical to a normal comedy night with a twist - all of the comedians will be vegan and the idea is they will "passively promote and normalise the ideals of veganism'', organiser Matt Hoss said.

The stand-up added: "The routines are the same as a normal set, but it offers a safe recluse for vegans.

"The audience will ‘leaf’ with a smile on their face and will want to come back for herbi-more."

There will be vegan food available from True Story Café in Lord Mayor's Walk before the show and snacks for the intervals.

Sarah Bennetto has appeared on ITV’s Take The Mic, Dave’s Dara O’Briain’s School Of Hard Sums and BBC 6 Music and has been described as a "storyteller par excellence" by Time Out, London.

Opening the gig is Lorna Pritchard, described as a rising star on the circuit. Ciaran Chillingworth and Dawn Sugden are the support acts. Matt Hoss will compere.

The night is being held during Veganuary which encourages people to try vegan food for January and across the year.

Recent research from Waitrose found that a third of people now have meat-free or meat-reduced diets.

Event organiser Matt is from North Yorkshire and started in comedy at the age of 19.

He is currently doing his second hour long show called: 100 Acts Of Morality and produces the podcast A History Of Comedy In Several Objects which has featured guests including Richard Herring, Josie Long and Mark Thomas.

Viva Las Vegans is holding nights across the country with upcoming dates planned for Canterbury, Leicester and Newcastle.

- The acts start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 advance (via WeGotTickets ) or £15 on the door.