A WOMAN is starring in a BBC show about a group of vegans trying to convert meat eaters to a plant-based lifestyle.

Rikkilee Lemmon, who lives in Eastbourne, is the new star of Veganville.

The show sees a group of passionate vegans move up to a small town in Wales, where they try to convince the locals to cut animal produce out of their diet.

The BBC Three programme follows the 24-year-old’s travels to Merthyr Tydfil, a town surrounded by hills and farmland, and home to many who depend on animal agriculture for employment and nutrition.

Announcing the appearance on Twitter, Rikkilee wrote: “OK lads its finally time to announce what I got up to last year. I present you my baby Veganville.

“I can’t say much but what I will say is that a lot of hard work went into this. A lot of tears, shocks, challenges and the odd tantrum (what do you expect).

“I’ve already watched it and despite a few vile camera angles I am so happy with how it turned out. Those who know me well will know that I have been shouting about veganism for years before it was cool and I feel so blessed and grateful to be involved in this TV project.”

The programme makers say Veganville explores what motivates people to choose a plant based lifestyle, and those who do not, as the group of vegans attempt to convince the tight-knit community to go meatless in three weeks.

Speaking on the programme, Rikkilee said: “I want to show that you can be normal and still be vegan.”

She added that she has a different idea of the best way to change people’s attitudes to some of the other vegans on the show.

Rikkilee, who turned vegan three years ago, says she converted as she thought it was the best thing for her health.

She said, “It’s plants going into your body as opposed to dead animal flesh. My worst kind of vegan is going to be some kind of animal activist.

“These people with laptops, and this horrible footage. No! What are you doing? This is what gives us a bad name.”

Other vegans on the show include full-time animal rights activist Joey, Miami bodybuilder Korin, single mum Jodi, and truck driver Dan.

This is not the first time on television for Rikkilee, who featured in the popular dating show Take Me Out last year. There the former St Bede’s and Moira House schoolgirl nabbed a date and was taken to the “isle of Fernando’s”. But the couple went their separate ways after the show.

Veganville is available on BBC iPlayer now.