Here in England we have some really lovely old buildings, some of them like this old pub, go back to the 8th century, and they often have weird and wonderful names too, which tend to have a history behind them.

Ye Old Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Hertfordshire, is officially Britain’s oldest pub as verified by the Guinness Book of Records, but its name has ruffled a few feathers with animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

They suggest that the name should be changed from ‘Ye Old Fighting Cocks’ (its name since 1872) to ‘Ye Old Clever Cocks’ as chickens are sensitive and social animals and should be portrayed as such. After all, they argue, cock fighting was banned in the UK in the 1800s, and modern people are appalled by the thought of them fighting to the death.

The locals however, are outraged at the idea of changing their pub’s name, which they think is quite mad. No chickens were available for comment, as they were cooling their heels in the local Police Cells due to being kicked out of ‘Ye Old Fighting Cocks’ for drunk and disorderly behaviour!

I do love animals but honestly, this is taking things a little bit too far! I am sure the chickens couldn’t care less what the pub is called!