MARCH is Veggie Month - organised by Animal Aid, which campaigns against animal abuse and promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle.

Topping the Vegetarian Society's latest Favourite Celebrity Vegetarian Poll was Sir Paul McCartney, followed closely by singer Morrissey.

Keeping it in the family, the most popular female vegetarian celeb was Sir Paul's daughter, fashion designer Stella McCartney. After adding the total votes, Sir Paul was the outright winner across both sexes.

He said: "I am really thrilled. People are becoming more aware of what they eat and where it comes from. But many still don't make the connection between their own actions and the suffering and death of a real living creature. Once you truly understand the consequences of buying and eating meat, you can't claim to care without going vegetarian."

Voters were asked to select their favourite veggie through an on-line poll. The list of 25 nominees included GMTV's Fiona Phillips, Big Brother's Chantelle Houghton, actor Martin Shaw, singer Moby, actress Joanna Lumley, comedian Russell Brand and US hunk Tobey McGuire.

Voters were asked to add a comment if they wished when placing their vote. Sir Paul's included: "Sir Paul McCartney is my favourite male veggie celebrity because he is the celebrity who has done the most to promote vegetarianism as a healthy and ethical way of living and played a pivotal role, along with his late wife Linda, in vegetarianism being accepted into mainstream Western culture."

Another said: "He is fab! A totally genuine guy and a really committed vegetarian."

Comments for Stella McCartney included: " She is not just famous for being Paul McCartney's daughter, but rather she has carved out a career as a fashion designer and stuck to her guns about not using fur." And: "She is a vegetarian without ramming it down people's throats; it sends out the message that it's an easy and healthy way to eat and live. She looks great too."

Collette Walsh, press spokesperson at The Vegetarian Society said: "It was level-pegging for Morrissey and Sir Paul McCartney at one point. Both are hugely influential individuals and great ambassadors for vegetarianism.

" Stella, however, was the outright winner in the female category. The vast majority of votes for her came from women. She's clearly the savvy, successful type of vegetarian that they like to look up to."

TOP FIVE VEGGIE CELEBS (MALE/FEMALE)

Favourite male celeb veggie

(1) Sir Paul McCartney (2) Morrissey (3) Martin Shaw (4) Moby (5) Tobey McGuire

Favourite female celeb veggie

(1) Stella McCartney (2) Chrissie Hynde (3) Heather Mills-McCartney (4) Sadie Frost (5) Fiona Phillps