Birkenhead's MP will be "sending a powerful message to his constituents about the importance of non-violence towards all living beings" by going vegan for Gandhi's birthday.

Frank Field has told People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that he will be going without dairy products or meat on Thursday, October 2, in honour of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday and the "United Nations' International Day of Non-Violence."

Gandhi was himself a strict vegetarian and wrote the book The Moral Basis of Vegetarianism.

"By promoting animal-free foods, Mr Field is sending a powerful message to his constituents about the importance of non-violence towards all living beings – humans and other species alike," said PETA director Mimi Bekhechi.

"Gandhi famously said that the 'greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated', and if he were alive today, we're sure that he'd be encouraged by Mr Field's great example."

She added the United Nations has said a global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world from hunger, fuel poverty and the worst impacts of climate change.

"Vegans don't just help save their own lives – they also save up to 100 animals a year from immeasurable suffering on factory farms, in abattoirs and on the decks of fishing boats," said Ms Bekhechi.

Mr Field recently launched a campaign aimed at reducing thuggery on the streets of Birkenhead after incidents in which gangs of youths carried out a series of vicious assaults.