Brits urged to shun turkey for steak at Xmas

Research by the brand reported that 94% of Brits did not know why turkey was the country's Christmas dinner of choice. Some 21% said they would do away with turkey as a festive tradition.

Beefeater brand manager Nicola Mullen said: "Last Christmas, we consumed about 10 million turkeys as a nation so there’s no denying it's a popular British staple and engrained in our country's traditions.

"However, our research supports the fact that many of us would prefer to experience some variety during the festive period and more than a third of us (28%) are already planning to eat beef."

Whitbread is understood to be preparing to launch an 'evolved' version of the pub restaurant brand in Birmingham city centre next year, according to the Publican’s Morning Advertiser’s ​sister title M&C Allegra Report.​

The chain has created a spoof video with TV presenter Andy Crane to mark the launch of the #votesteak campaign, which you can view below: