CHRISTMAS is supposed to be a time of peace and goodwill to all - and that should include animals.

Sadly, millions of turkeys are slaughtered for food in the UK, many of whom are killed for Christmas dinners. Each of these animals was an individual, who deserved to live free from harm and exploitation.

Animal Aid's "Their Christmas Wish" campaign shines a light on rescued turkeys who were lucky enough to escape the slaughterhouse and now get to live their lives out at animal sanctuaries.

One of these is Dee Dee, who is an astonishing 12 years old and still going strong - turkeys raised for “food” are often slaughtered when they are between 18 and 20 weeks old.

There are also Audrey and Maria who were due to be slaughtered for Christmas dinners last year, but were thankfully saved and now live at an animal sanctuary.

Their Christmas Wish shows that turkeys are amazing animals, with personalities, and that no animal deserves to be slaughtered for Christmas dinner.

Not least because it has never been easier to enjoy a plant-based festive feast, with recipes galore online and every single major supermarket having huge vegan Christmas ranges.

Tod Bradbury, Animal Aid