Animal rights group PETA has called on Preston City Council to consider a ‘modern makeover’ for a 150-year-old Easter tradition.
It comes as the public body prepares for its annual Easter egg rolling event, which takes place in Avenham and Miller Parks on Easter Monday (April 6).
The event typically sees hundreds of families gather to race hard-boiled eggs down the park's steep hills.
In a letter to Preston Council, PETA has proposed that the event swap traditional eggs for dyed potatoes, describing them as a "cheaper, healthier, and more animal-friendly alternative".
PETA said potatoes would make the activity more inclusive to all, particularly those who don’t eat eggs for health, cultural, religious, or environmental reasons.
Elisa Allen, vice president of programmes at PETA, said: "Children love animals and would be sad to learn that the eggs used for fun and games at Preston’s egg rolling event come from tormented hens who live miserable lives on Britain’s farms.
"Easter should be a time of renewal and joy for all sentient beings – and that means hens, too."
The group claims that even eggs labelled ‘free-range’ or ‘organic’ can come from farms, which the group describe as "filthy farms", where chickens are unable to express natural behaviours.
The group believes switching to potatoes would be a cheaper, healthier, and more animal-friendly alternative.
Preston’s egg rolling tradition remains a staple of its Easter Monday celebrations.
Official egg rolls take place every hour, though many families choose to find a quiet spot for their own turns.
Preston Council has been approached for comment.
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