A town in the United Kingdom has pledged to make its schools and hospitals vegan to slow climate change and improve the health of its inhabitants.

Haywards Heath in West Sussex is known for its picturesque landscape and Victorian architecture, but its change in eating habits may attract a whole new cohort of people.

Last month, the town's council announced the Plant Based Treaty - an initiative which seeks to reduce the damage caused by farming and deforestation.

Paul and Stella McCartney, Joaquin Phoenix and Ela Gandhi are some of the high-profile supporters of the pledge.

Record high temperatures

British Green Councillor Dr Richard Nicholson, welcomed the town's decision, saying: "The South East of England has endured the highest ever summer temperatures in history and people’s properties have been destroyed by fire and flood."

"We cannot wait for governments – we must all act immediately – and moving to a plant-based diet is the most impactful thing any individual can do to help address the grave situation we face."

Haywards Heath joins local governments worldwide who've taken the pledge, including Boynton Beach in Florida and Rosario in Argentina.

Nicola Harris of Plant Based Treaty naturally welcomed the change, saying the town is demonstrating "true leadership".

"It will be welcomed by those experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change."

"Animal farming is directly responsible for a third of human-caused methane. Therefore we need local, national and international cooperation to reduce food-related emissions through a shift to plant-based diets, boosted by action on food waste.”

Main image shows South Road, Haywards Heath. Image by: Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy