A young farmer has written a letter in response to Tesco's 'misleading' vegan sausage advert, saying they should "feel ashamed".

Samia Proctor, aged 10, from Turriff, Aberdeenshire, had a letter published in The Scottish Farmer, criticising the divisive advert.

Saying she wants to support livestock farmers, Samia, said she is campaigning on behalf of livestock farmers as she is currently trying to complete the campaigning badge at her local Girl Guides group.

The advert promotes a move towards a meat-free diet, with a child saying, 'Daddy I don't want to eat animals anymore.'

In the advert, her father creates a casserole using the meat-free sausages, which turns out to be a hit with the family.

In her letter, Samia says: "To me the advert implies that meat-free sausages taste better than meat sausages which have been made from livestock naturally reared on a farm.

"I feel sad and angry that Tesco has used a child to make people feel guilty about eating meat.

"This advert is promoting a lifestyle, rather than a product, which I feel is wrong.

"A few days ago I bought my first calf at Thainstone Mart and I help feed and care for her every day – as I will every day for the rest of her life.

"Farmers do not hurt animals, they give them the best life they can.

"This advert is giving farmers a bad reputation and Tesco should feel ashamed!"

The advert was also criticised by the National Farmers Union, with president Minette Batters, writing to Tesco to outline their concerns.

She said: "The NFU believes that messaging such as this is demonising meat as a food group, which not only has negative connotations for farmers but also for the avocation of customers eating a healthy balanced diet.

"The NFU is clear that food and nutrition must be looked at as a whole, rather than food groups in isolation. Meat as a food group provides naturally rich in protein and are a good source of iron, zinc and essential vitamins. There are certain parts of the population, especially teenage girls, who are currently not eating sufficient quantities of these micro-nutrients to fulfil their dietary requirement.

"We believe it is vital that children do not establish misleading views of food groups, which may later affect their health and diets."