A popular grocery chain in Britain is reportedly selling grey squirrel meat, which it says is 'high in protein and low in fat'.

The shop - Budgens - claims there is huge demand for the rodents because they were once widely eaten in the country, the Telegraph reported.

But this move has been criticised by Viva, an animal welfare group.

'It is very sad that Budgens are allowing profit to be made from wildlife massacre,' Viva founder and zoologist Juliet Gellatley said.

'If this store is attempting to stand out from the crowd by selling squirrel, the only message they are giving out is that they are happy to have the blood of a beautiful wild animal on their hands for the sake of a few quid,' she said.