Former Beatle 'inspired by Bambi'

Sir Paul regularly speaks out on animal welfare issues

Singer Sir Paul McCartney has said the 1942 Disney film Bambi inspired him to take an interest in animal rights.

The former Beatle, 63, said the animated Disney film where the young deer's mother is shot by hunters, had an impact on him as a child.

"I think that made me grow up thinking hunting isn't cool," he said.

Sir Paul, who is a prominent animal rights campaigner, made the comments during an interview with the schools paper The Newspaper.

Hunting

"You look through a lot of these great stories - Dumbo, his mum is quite badly treated."

"A lot of these classic stories, through their efforts, kids - as I once was - have grown up feeling it's a bad idea to be cruel to animals."

Sir Paul, a vegetarian, has spoken out in the past against vivisection, hunting, livestock farming and the wearing of fur.

He has fronted several animal rights campaigns including the RSPCA and US group Peta.

Sir Paul has co-written a children's book, called High in the Clouds, which is inspired by conservation and animal welfare issues.