A TURKEY destined for Christmas dinner has been spared the chop.

Holly the turkey was rescued by 75-year-old vegan animal sanctuary owner Lynda Free, who has nursed the bird back to health after a harrowing ordeal.

The turkey – which was reared on a farm near Hastings – had her beak cut off to prevent her from pecking other birds.

But Lynda and a specialist vet have managed to fit Holly with a prosthetic beak, and it has transformed the bird’s life. Lynda said: “Turkeys often have their top beak cut, but in Holly’s case the beak was completely removed.

The Argus: Lynda Free holding Holly the turkey with vet Gianluca DeliLynda Free holding Holly the turkey with vet Gianluca Deli

“She couldn’t eat unaided and I was hand-feeding her pellets, corn and mashed potato just to make sure she survived.

“But I didn’t want her to live like that.”

Lynda set up a fundraiser to furnish a new beak for Holly and vet Gianluca Deli at Seers Croft Veterinary Surgery in Horsham carried out the procedure.

She is now recovering well, and Lynda said Holly’s personality is shining through.

“She lives in the moment and won’t hold anything against you,” Lynda said. “She likes to keep herself to herself, and she’s very sweet and kind.”

At her Freedom Farm in Brightling, near Heathfield, Lynda has rescued scores of animals that would have ended up on people’s plates.

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Holly was born last spring and was being fattened up when Lynda bought her from the farmer.

She is among 150 birds that Lynda is looking after, along with geese, ducks and chickens. There are also cows, pigs and sheep.

“All the animals were destined to be eaten,” Lynda said. “But when they come here, they stay here – it’s like a family.”

“The animals people eat have personalities and a right to life – we really don’t need to eat meat. I’ve lived 11 years without it and I’m fit and strong at 75 – I run the whole sanctuary.”