SCARES of the foot and mouth crisis prompted High Wycombe shoppers to find out about alternatives during National Vegetarian Month.

Meat-eaters explored vegetarianism at stalls during last month's national campaign. The High Street was base for the South Bucks Justice for Animals stall outside Woolworths for the month.

Dawn Parkes, group chairman, said: "It's amazing how many confused and ill-informed people are out there after this recent meat scare and many were really desperate for some solid information about health issues related to eating meat."

"Many people assume people who don't eat meat refuse to do so only because of moral issues but these days far more people are choosing vegetarianism because of the huge health benefits that have been proved to go hand in hand with a vegetarian diet."

The group worked with Animal Aid and Vegetarians International Voice of Animals group to put together leaflets and meat-free recipe booklets.

On Saturdays this month Ms Parkes and colleagues have chatted with shoppers and handed out more than 5,000 leaflets to encourage debate on vegetarianism and answer questions about meat safety. Over 5,000 leaflets were given out from the High Street stall throughout March.

But Dennis Jaffrey, of DP Clarke, butchers of Octagon Parade, High Wycombe, commented: "The majority of people are coming in to buy meat.

"It's still healthy to eat it despite all the food scares. People have eaten meat since the beginning of time."

For an information booklet contact Dawn Parkes on 07811 654454