Students at a university have opted for a meat-free cafeteria in a crunch vote.

A total of 450 University of Kent students voted to lobby catering facilities to serve a fully plant-based menu by 2027.

The university’s student union has today claimed it was the body’s highest recorded turnout.

Chris Chudley, 22, from Plant-Based Universities Kent, said: "We are completely overwhelmed by the support we have received from students to pass this motion calling for plant-based catering at Kent.

“It is a relief to see our university acknowledging the student body in calling for this necessary transition towards a safe and secure food system.

“Our campaign will maintain its presence and continue to lobby the university, and take nonviolent direct action where necessary, to ensure the student’s vote is honoured and that affordable, nutritious, and delicious plant-based menus are made available as soon as possible.”

The vote follows similar motions at the Universities of Stirling, Cambridge, Queen Mary’s of London, Birmingham, and London Metropolitan.

As the motion is to lobby the university to go 100% plant-based, this could impact all union and non-union-owned outlets, of which there are about 16 in total.

Kent’s Student Union president, Zaid Mahmood, said: “After consideration from the Board of Trustees, we have passed an amended policy which highlights Kent Union's support for the transition towards 100% plant based catering and our commitment to work with this group of students going forward.

“This is an extremely important step in combating the climate crisis which continues to get worse day by day due to inaction. We must tackle the climate crisis together.”

The Plant-Based Universities campaign is a nationwide initiative of students who are pushing for their universities and student unions to adopt 100% plant-based catering.

As there were more than 400 student votes, it meant the policy motion was instantly implemented subject to the board of trustees.

More than 50 votes would have meant it would have been discussed in the Kent Union parliament, where elected students or those in different committees can vote on it.

A spokesperson for the unviersity, which has campuses in Canterbury and Medway, said: "We currently have a number of schemes designed to cater for and support plant-based diets of our students and staff, including our plant-based loyalty scheme and daily plant-based meal deal option at the Rutherford dining hall.

“Together with Kent Union we share a commitment to a more sustainable future - at the University, and beyond – and look forward to discussing this proposal with them further as part of our ongoing discussions on how we can achieve this vision."