A pet lover has launched a new dog food which uses flies as the main source of protein.

Tom Neish, from Brighton, wanted to reduce the pet food market’s reliance on meat and its impact on the environment.

So he came up with an alternative diet for dogs after being inspired by America.

He said: ““In the US, some companies use insects to make energy bars so I thought if it’s good enough for humans it’s good enough for pets.”

His company, Yora, uses Black Soldier larvae, supplied by Dutch company Protix, and oats and potatoes.

Mr Neish, 39, said: “I have been working in the pet industry since I was 14.

“I noticed there is a gap in the pet food market so I did some research to find out how I can improve nutrition for pets.

“Basically, pets are eating the same food as people.

“With problems like human overpopulation and environmental degradation, I wanted to find an alternative food source because we could face a global food shortage crisis.

The Argus:

“I found that insects have either the same or more nutrition as meat.

“Animals and humans have been eating insects since the dawn of time and we believe Yora is the future of pet food.

“We have trialled 29 recipes to find the perfect combination of great tasting ingredients and are very proud of the end result.”

Mr Neish said the company uses Black Soldier larvae instead of adult insects as they have more protein in their bodies.

Countries such as Singapore are using this relatively unknown insect to process food waste.

He said: “Some companies mill crickets into flour, but when insects transform into their adult stage, they use up a lot of their protein.

“Black Soldier flies are rich in protein and they are easy to farm.

“When compared to beef farming, the grubs take up just two per cent of the land and four per cent of the water to produce each kilogram of protein.

“The insects grow naturally at a rapid pace, reaching full size in just 14 days, so there’s no need for growth hormones or antibiotics.

“Yora also uses kale, seaweed and chicory which has added benefits for your dog like Vitamin C.

“The potatoes and oats are grown in the UK and the pet food looks and tastes just like regular kibble.

“It is easy to digest and also beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs. I just want to do my bit to help reduce carbon footprint on the planet.”

The product is being launched today.