SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY - SIR PAUL: FISHING TRIP TURNED ME INTO A VEGETARIAN

SIR PAUL: FISHING TRIP TURNED ME INTO A VEGETARIAN

Sir Paul McCartney has said a fishing trip was the cause of his decision to become a vegetarian.

In a new advertising campaign for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) organisation, the former Beatle is accompanied by the words "I am Paul McCartney and I am a vegetarian".

And in the Veggie Testimonials campaign - which also features Alicia Silverstone, Forest Whitaker and Casey Affleck - the 65-year-old explains the moment at which he decided to give up eating meat.

The poster quotes Sir Paul as saying: "Many years ago I was fishing, and as I was reeling in the poor fish, I realised, 'I am killing him - all for the passing pleasure it brings me'.

"Something inside me clicked. I realised as I watched him fight for breath that his life was as important to him as mine is to me."

He has previously described vegetarianism as "the single most important thing you could do" to save the planet.

"If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat," he explained.

"It's staggering when you think about it. Vegetarianism takes care of so many things in one shot: ecology, famine, cruelty."

It is believed that Sir Paul's divorce battle with estranged wife Heather Mills could near a conclusion next week, with a decision expected on the case's financial settlement.