Brighton is top vegetarian venue

Brighton beat off the challenge of three other cities for the title

Brighton has been named as the best place for UK vegetarians to live or visit.

The Vegetarian Society placed the city in top spot ahead of Edinburgh, Manchester and Glastonbury.

Sue John, deputy leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "It's a great honour but fully justified."

The Society singled out Nestle for criticism over its use of cochineal in Smarties, but the company said it made several vegetarian-friendly sweets.

Cllr John said the city's gourmet tradition was "a major addition to what we can offer residents and tourists and enjoyed by people whether or not they're vegetarians."

Imperfect World Award

Cafe Maitreya in Bristol picked up the award for best gourmet vegetarian restaurant, while V1 in Nottingham was named best vegetarian fast food outlet.

Best vegetarian baby food was the Baby Organix range, while Quorn mince was named best meat or fish substitute.

Its awards scheme named Marks and Spencer as the best vegetarian wine and beer retailer and praised restaurants in Bristol and Nottingham.

Smarties, made by Nestle, were given the Imperfect World Award.

The brightly-coloured chocolates contain the red dye made from the crushed body of the cochineal beetle.

But Nestle said cochineal was "probably the best known of all food colours" and pointed out it made a number of vegetarian-friendly sweets including Aero, Yorkie and Rolos.

The Vegetarian Society also criticised sweets and drinks made with gelatine.