BOLTON TV star Helen Flanagan filled her own stockings today as she became Miss Santa to campaign against animal cruelty.

The former Coronation Street actress and I'm a Celebrity contestant wore a costume without the traditional white trim to promote the anti-fur message to shoppers in Covent Garden in London.

She teamed up with campaign group Peta, holding up a sign which read "Keep it fur-free under the Xmas tree".

Flanagan, who was the highest ranking British star in FHM's sexiest women poll this year, was encouraging people to avoid presents which involved animal cruelty as she dressed in a red dress, white stockings and red platform stilettos.

She said: "Fur is cruel and gruesome, and it belongs squarely in Christmas' past.

"With all the wonderful stylish, fur-free designs available today, it's never been easier to celebrate with Christmas gifts that are as kind as they are chic."

Peta said coats, collars and cuffs made from fur involved "immense animal suffering" and claimed that some animals were skinned while still alive.

It pointed out many designers - including Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Vivienne Westwood - shunned fur.

Helen has previously supported a Peta campaign when she stripped off naked for a poster.


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