THERE'S never been a more popular time to be vegan. And people in Swindon could find out all about it at a new healthy living event.

Held at the Central Library by the borough council to coincide with 'Veganuary', Healthy Living Fest offered an opportunity for people to find out more about healthy food options available in Swindon.

It featured vegan stalls as well as mental health and sports groups, including Swindon Town Football Club.

Visitors told the Adver why they went along. Marilyn Harrison, 65, went vegan four years ago with her husband Denis, 69, in a bid to help tackle climate change and protect animals.

The couple wanted to raise awareness and promote veganism as a healthier lifestyle.

Marilyn, from Shaw said: “You can be very unhealthy being vegan if you are just having junk food, but if you have a good balanced diet, then it's healthier.”

“I was vegetarian for 12 years before I became vegan. It was quite tricky because I had very young children, so I had to make sure I was doing the diet right for the nutrition.

“It’s easier now to be vegan because there’s a lot more information. It was quite hard work at first but then you get into it.”

Dennis added: “It is not hard to be vegan. I feel great, and I’m nearly 70. And my wife does the best cooking in the world!”

This month marks 'Veganuary', an initiative that encourages people to go vegan for the month of January.

Vegan Barbara Collins, 67, from Park South, became vegan a few years ago.

She said “I became vegan except for eggs until about five years ago. And then I stopped eating eggs, because I thought I can’t keep doing this.

“I was eating eggs from my own chickens, but I realised I was part of the problem and I never missed any of it. You think about what you eat much more.

“It’s healthier because you are conscious. You think about what you are putting together. You care about what you are eating.”

Outreach librarian Sara Rigby said: “People are more aware of improving their health these days. And it’s Veganuary and the start of the new year when a lot of people have resolutions to make themselves fitter and healthier. That’s why we thought it would be a good idea to promote that.

“The message of this event is that we wanted people to come and talk to people about living well and better.”

Health and wellbeing assistant at the council Alex Parker gave visitors with leaflets and said: “We are promoting realistic health and wellbeing. We are looking at becoming smoke-free, dry January, we got the eat-well guide and we're looking at nutrition and physical activities.

“It’s about looking after mental health, and this is very important. Physical and mental health are pretty much intertwined but there’s a taboo when it comes to mental health.

“It is nice to see more people becoming aware of what is out there.

“The people here today would not necessarily see them. It's fantastic."