Heather Mills says people will be “shocked” by her new vegan restaurant.

The former model, who plans to open a chain of eateries, claims customers visiting V-Bites in Brighton, UK, will relish the tasty meat-free meals she has been working on for years.

She said: “I think the food is really going to surprise everyone. Most people’s diet is 70 per cent vegan anyway, as they eat rice, pasta and bread, but they just don’t associate the two.

“What is going to shock people most is the meat replacements. I have been working on them for seven years and they have a real meat taste.”

The charity campaigner – who was previously married to former Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney – hopes to change people’s attitudes to vegan food with her new venture but admits it will be a slow process.

She said: “We are not going to change the world with just one restaurant. “What many people don’t realise is that the biggest contribution to global warming is the production of meat and dairy.

“I am not telling people to stop eating meat and dairy altogether. I’m just saying come and try it one day a week, have a nice meal and do your bit for the environment.”

Heather won’t open the doors of V-Bites – which she bought in March – until July but nearby residents can get a taste of what she will be offering when she cooks at a local ‘Foodie Festival’ this weekend.

One resident commented: "Audience members will be able to chat to the chefs, so it should be an interesting preview of what she plans to do with her new venture. Not to mention a little insight into what Paul used to get for his tea."