A pub landlord has ruled out changing the name of his village boozer after animal rights activists wrote a letter to another pub with a similar name, claiming it was offensive.

The Fighting Cocks owner Chris Maskery says he has "no intention" of altering the name should he receive a letter from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or Peta.

The award-winning pub in Horton Kirby shares a similar name to an historic pub in St Albans, named Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, in Hertfordshire that received the letter from Peta.

The animal rights group has published an open letter on its website arguing the name Fighting Cocks is synonymous with the illegal blood sport cockfighting.

And today a Peta spokeswoman revealed other pubs have not been excluded from receiving the letter.

It reads: "The name Ye Olde Fighting Cocks calls to mind the violence and gore of cockfighting, a hideous blood sport so cruel that it has been outlawed in the UK.

"A change of name to Ye Olde Clever Cocks would help highlight the fact that chickens are intelligent, sensitive and super-social animals – much like your punters!

"We hope a name change to Ye Olde Clever Cocks would encourage people to rethink the way that we treat chickens and grant these birds the respect and kindness that they deserve."

But Mr Maskery said more uproar is likely to be caused if he removed the Fighting Cocks from the name.

He said: "It's not as if I'm doing it is it? Cockfighting is barbaric but it did go on although it certainly doesn't go on here.

"The problem is even if we did change the name people would still refer to it as the Cocks.

"This pub has stood here since 1776 and its name is part of its history and character.

"I think if we did change it there would be more uproar so we are damned if we do and damned if we don't."

Stories you might have missed

Prisoner stabbed inmate in neck with plastic knife

PC jailed for hitting protestor with shield

Fairground boss fined after girl flung from ride

Police probe rush-hour bus crash