Going to the theatre and sleeping in the nude are among some of the life changes people in their fifties are likely to make, according to research.

But for 53-year-old Sid Willett he decided to ditch the meat and dairy and become a fully-fledged vegan.

Sid, who works for the Cornwall Drug and Alcohol Team, hasn't had a morsel of mackerel, a leg of lamb or chomped on a cheese baguette for the last six months.

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And he says it has "changed my life for the better forever".

Ahead of the Cornwall Vegan Festival, which takes place at the new venue of the Mount Pleasant Eco Park, Porthtowan, on Saturday, April 22, Sid has been talking to Cornwall Live about why he made the switch.

The festival coincides with Earth Day a worldwide event to celebrate the planet and encourage people to be more environmentally friendly.

"The main reason for this change was that I realised that no animal need be exploited or to suffer for my benefit, whether that was for me to eat it, wear it or to have products that had been tested on animals for me to use.

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It wasn't a snap decision for Sid, he has described how he pored over books, researching farming and animal based products discovered the "massive impact on the environment" that some of these practices have, he told Cornwall Live.

"If it continues it will be the downfall of our beautiful planet and so the transition for me was unquestionable and easy," he said.

Not that it didn't prompt some quizzical remarks when he informed people he had become a vegan.

"'What do you eat?' 'Isn't it a bit extreme?' and 'where do you get your protein?' " were just a few of the comments he received when he told people of his decision to change his eating habits.

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"This is because most only look upon it as having to give up things and don't realise or think about everything they have to gain.

"Food choices are usually the first thing people think about with veganism, but it goes way beyond that to a complete lifestyle change.

"My diet has never been richer in protein, iron, calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals. It's never been so low in saturated fats or higher in fibre and antioxidants. I have low cholesterol, clear and healthy skin; I have lost body fat and feel much more energised.

"If I want to eat curry I eat curry, same goes for lasagne, cottage pie, chilli, and a whole range of meat alternatives so it's a matter of using the recipes and replacing the meat.

"Once you've been through the 'detox' and erased the food memory of meat and dairy your palate changes so that it picks up on a lot more of the subtleties of fruit and vegetables. It's re-learning your food and it's exciting."

As he has transformed his diet so his body has also transformed losing 7lb in body fat.

Sid believes this is down to his improved diet, exercise and plenty of plant protein.

He added the health benefits of a vegan lifestyle "speak for themselves" and the benefits to non-human life are "immense".

If you decide to make the move to veganism Sid says there are many support groups and information available.

If you're not completely ready to give up the taste the dairy and meat there are lots of products that have a similar taste and texture, he explained.

He said: "The range of cakes and desserts is now very good and there is no doubt that a lot of them are completely indistinguishable from the animal based ones. I genuinely do not miss any foods and no food is worth eating if it comes at the expense of or to the detriment of another life.

"I urge everyone to consider their lifestyle choices and be informed on how they choose to live because our planet depends on this."

Saturday marks the fifth Cornwall Vegan Festival and runs from 11am to 5pm. For further details visit the festival website.

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Drug and alcohol worker Sid Willett: becoming a vegan has changed my life for the better forever - Cornwall Live