An animal rights group has been accused of undermining real issues after asking a pub to change its name, claiming it is offensive to foxes.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group (Peta) wrote to owners of The Sly Old Fox on Hurst Street, Birmingham, saying the name was “derogatory”.

Instead, Elisa Allen from the campaign group asked them to consider swapping “sly” with “clever”.

People on social media have said the request trivialised animal rights issues, but Ms Allen has hit back saying critics were getting their “knickers in a twist”