One of the county's youngest vegan activists has been praised for raising hundreds of pounds for an animal rescue charity.

Harry Bidewell, aged six from Maidstone, generated £800 for Ashford-based the Retreat Animal Rescue, since the beginning of last year.

The youngster, who started his own non-profit Vegan Squirrel business making and selling bottled carrot juice, has now helped cover a days costs for the High Halden sanctuary.

It has been running for more than 30 years and is home 1,250 animals.

Harry's father Mark explained how his son has always enjoyed raising money and made the decision to switch to a plant-based diet off the back of doing Veganuary with his mum when he was four.

Harry has been baking cakes, bread, selling Vegan Squirrel merchandise and washing cars to raise the money to "help save the planet and animals".

He recently visited the Retreat to hand the money over to Billy Thompson.

'What an amazing little child to do this for the animals...'

“What Harry has been doing has been absolutely great," he said.

"What an amazing little child to do this for the animals and inspire others - a little kid helping spread the word on what we are doing, what we need to keep this place open and proof that if you put your heart to something even at such a young age anything is possible."

As the Retreat Animal Sanctuary continues on their venture to protect and rehabilitate animals and play a part in animal welfare and sustainability, it is hoped they hope Harry's donations will inspire more businesses and individuals to come forward to support the Retreat and its cause.

The Retreat has an all-day breakfast café, shop, lodges as well as provide tours and education.

Speaking about the challenges of guiding a child through Veganuary, Mark said: “Harry’s always said it’s not kind eating animals even at a very early age.

“Whenever we go through the supermarket he points at the meat aisle and says ‘not kind’.

“Although we have always protected him from anything graphic we have always been open with him about where food comes from, i.e. from the ground or from an animal.

“Harry loves the planet and all animals and knows being vegan helps both.”

For more information on The Retreat visit www.retreatanimalrescue.org.uk.