KFC in the US has announced that it is trialling plant-based nuggets and wings.

The products - which are not made with animal meat - are being tested at a restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia today.

If customers like the taste, the plant-based meat substitutes could be sold alongside the fast food chain's traditional fried chicken in other outlets as well.

The new product is made from breadcrumb-coated wheat protein, and is produced by meat substitute manufacturer Beyond Meat.

Kevin Hochman, president and chief concept officer at KFC US, claimed customers would find it "difficult to tell" that the product is not made from traditional meat.

California-based Beyond Meat has become one of the most prominent suppliers of plant-based meat alternatives.

As well as selling their own burgers and sausages in shops and supermarkets, Beyond also supply their products to various restaurant chains - including Eddie Rockets in Ireland.

Beyond's stocks climbed yesterday in the wake of the announcement of the KFC partnership.

Another producer of meat substitutes - Impossible Foods - already supplies products to major chains such as Burger King.