According to a recent survey, more than 20% of children in the UK are already vegan and a further 21% would like to be vegetarian.

A vegan diet involves avoiding all animal products, whether it be meat or a food item used with animal produce, such as milk.

Press Association has reported that 8% of children between the ages of 5 and 16 are following a vegan diet, and 13% are vegetarians. These results have come from a survey by BBC Good Food.

15% of children said they wanted to follow a vegan diet, while 21% said they wanted to follow a vegetarian diet.

Fussy eaters were few and far between, with those surveyed wanting to take over kitchens, baking and preparing meals and wanting to try all different kinds of food.

The survey further revealed that children are concerned regarding the use of plastic packaging on food, with 44% saying they would like there to be none on food in the next 10 years. However, only 37% believed this will happen.

Christine Hayes, the editor of BBC Good Food, said: “It was fascinating to survey children’s eating habits, behaviours and opinions around food.

“The findings are revelatory and show that far from being fussy eaters, children want to take over the nation’s kitchens – baking and preparing meals, trying different kinds of foods.

“They are passionate about exploring alternative diets and methods of food production that could be more sustainable for the planet.”

Censuswide surveyed 1,004 children aged five to 16 in July and August.