The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) should go vegan and switch to dairy-free pizza, an animal rights group has urged.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) believe the crime fighting foursome could inspire fans watching their new series to “try it themselves” by making their trademark snack vegan.

Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo will return to our TV screens for the Rise of the TMNT, a Nickelodeon reboot set to air in September.

“Modern kids are embracing vegan food, so why shouldn’t modern Ninja Turtles?” said Lisa Lange, senior vice-president at PETA.

“Vegan pizza is popular, and it’s healthier and far kinder to animals than old-fashioned dairy cheese pizza. PETA thinks that’s something the ‘heroes in a half shell’ would support.”