'There's nothing jolly about Skegness fisherman'

Animal rights group Peta is calling for the Jolly Fisherman to be replaced with a "Happy Plaice" mascot

An animal rights group is calling for a seaside town's century-old mascot to be retired.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) said it was calling for the Jolly Fisherman in Skegness to be replaced with a "Happy Plaice".

"There's absolutely nothing jolly about killing fish," Jennifer White, from the group said.

However, local councillor and former mayor Steve Kirk described the campaign as "nonsense".

The original Jolly Fisherman poster, which features the slogan "Skegness is so bracing" was commissioned by the Great Northern Railway to encourage visitors to take the train on their seaside breaks to Skegness.

It was commissioned in 1908 for 12 guineas and has become synonymous with the Lincolnshire resort.

Jolly is also represented by a statue in the town.

Ms White said the best thing would be for the statue to be replaced with a "happy fish" to remind people that fish have a "desire to live and can feel pain and love and joy just as any other animal".

She said: "We have sent a letter to the mayor offering to contribute to the cost of a new statue that would replace the so-called Jolly Fisherman.

"We can all be kind to fish and other animals by simply eating vegan foods and that's really what this statue would represent."

Peta's Jennifer White said the group had offered to contribute to the cost of a new statue

In response, Kirk said the Jolly Fisherman was loved throughout the world and was an integral part of Skegness.

"Anyone who has been around for a while will realise that around once every ten years or so, when they are desperate to raise their profile they [Peta] pick on the poor Jolly Fisherman.

"It's publicity for them," he added.

Last week, an appeal was made to find people to don a Jolly costume to go out and about in the resort to meet holidaymakers.

Mr Kirk said they now had several potential candidates for the role.

Jolly has previously been in the news when he was redrawn by New European with the slogan Skegness is so Brexit.

The mascot also appeared on the cover of Bill Bryson's book The Road to Little Dribbling.

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