The poster shows a podgy child about to scoff a burger

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) says Easington was targeted because of an obesity rate of 22% above the national average.

It claims feeding meat to children is tantamount to child abuse as it is linked with life-threatening diseases.

The Meat and Livestock Commission has branded the poster irresponsible.

Marking the start of a national campaign, the poster is situated in a bus shelter on Seaside Lane in the town.

'Time bomb'

It shows a podgy child about to eat a hamburger, with the tagline Feeding Kids Meat Is Child Abuse. Fight the Fat. GoVeg.

Anita Singh, from Peta, said: "The damage caused by a meat-based diet is like a ticking time-bomb in kids.

"Vegetarian kids are slimmer, have more energy, get better grades and are all-around better off than their meat-eating peers."

Phil Saunders, from the Meat and Livestock Commission, said: "These sort of claims are incredibly irresponsible and are not science-based.

"It's a well-known fact that meat contains trace elements and minerals which are essential for growing children.