Chantelle Houghton Joins Peta Protest against Foie Gras

Celebrity Big Brother star and glamour model Chantelle Houghton led a protest against the production and sale of foie gras outside the London department store Fortnum & Mason.

Lending her support to a campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, she dressed up in a Santa Claus outfit and stood outside the Piccadilly store as she handed out tins of "faux gras" to shoppers.

About 150 people signed a giant Christmas card calling on the store to stop selling the controversial French dish.

Foie gras is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese to fatten up their livers, a practice considered cruel by animal charities.

"I'm dreaming of a kind Christmas - one where foie gras is nothing but a ghost of Fortnum & Mason's past," the reality TV star said.

"As the signatures on our Christmas card will show, British shoppers know that this cruel product has no place on British shelves."

Other supporters of the Peta campaign against Fortnum & Mason include Ricky Gervais, Bill Oddie, Dame Vera Lynn and Twiggy.

Fortnum & Mason declined to comment on the campaign.