Sir Paul McCartney is urging Americans to shun turkey on Thanksgiving and celebrate the holiday with a meat-free meal instead.

The annual U.S. event, which takes place later this month (Nov12), is a boom time for turkey farmers as millions of families enjoy a roast dinner as part of the day.

The Beatles legend has spoken out ahead of this year's (12) Thanksgiving to urge Americans to embrace vegetarianism and spare up to 45 million birds.

In a new advertisement for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), he is shown wearing an 'Eat No Turkey' T-shirt alongside the message, "Say No, Thanks to Turkey. Go vegetarian."