At the age of nine Robyn believes she has already saved the lives of many animals since making the decision to stop eating meat when she was five.

And now Robyn, the daughter of Eco-Echo columnist Lisa Jackson, has become a spokeswoman for Animal Aid, the UK's largest animal rights organisation.

She said: "My mum told me about being vegetarian and I thought, well I could save loads of animals' lives and for the past few years I've been really happy that I've turned vegetarian.

"I want people to become vegetarian but I want people to understand why I'm vegetarian as well."

And mum Lisa is proud her daughter has decided to talk about being vegetarian.

"It was her decision to become vegetarian," said Lisa. "It's important people make their own choice, particularly with important things like that and you can't force children in to it.

"It's up to Robyn at the end of the day.

"I'm proud she stands up for herself, particularly at school where she does get a bit of stick about it."

Animal Aid peacefully campaigns against all sorts of cruelty against animals.

Robyn added: "I wanted to go veggie because I realised how many animals I could save and I thought it's horrible to torture such scared little animals.

"I also thought, why would I eat something that is dead?

"Now I'm so happy I've saved loads of animals' lives and I bet they are so happy I've saved them!"

derek.bish@haverhillecho.com