Four pigs used on a college course are due to be rehomed after being saved from the slaughterhouse thanks to a student’s protests.

Vegan animal care student Izzy Ross thought teachers were joking when they told her the adorable piglets would ‘soon be bacon’ after she started at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton last year.

But when she realised the four gilts were set for the chop, she made it her mission to save them.

Following a meeting with Izzy and her mum Sarah-Jane, college bosses now say the pigs will be rehomed - but insist they will still raise livestock for food production in the future.

The pigs have been saved after Izzy’s protests delayed them being sold and they became over market weight.

The college has always denied staff made jokes about the pigs being killed and insist the issue of animal welfare is taken extremely seriously.

After Izzy, from Diggle in Saddleworth, raised concerns about the animals being killed with the M.E.N, scores of fellow students backed her campaign.

She even had the backing of animal rights body PETA after her protest made national headlines.

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In a statement, the college said: “The college teaches a rounded and balanced curriculum and discusses ethics alongside views both for and against the slaughter of animals.

“The raising of livestock for food production supports all aspects of all our animal care courses.

“The views of our learners are very important to us. We encourage debates among students in tutorials in order to listen to their views.

“The feedback from the tutorials strongly indicates that students agree with the raising of livestock for food production at the college remaining as part of the course.

“So, although these four pigs are being rehomed, the college will continue with the raising of livestock for food production next year.

“We have always given students the option to opt out of these lessons and, of course, we will continue to do so.”

Izzy, 18, said: “We’re over the moon that the college has listened to the students and the public.

“It’s amazing news that we’ve been able to save those wonderful sentient beings.

“From a personal point of view, it’s disappointing the college plans to raise animals for slaughter in the future, but we’re happy it will be made clear in the prospectus so students have the choice.”

It's understood the pigs have already found a home, but college bosses would not say where. It is believed they will be staying together.