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Animal rights group PETA has demanded Games Workshop change the costumes worn by plastic Warhammer figures because they appear to be made from fur.

Several of the fantasy game’s plastic characters – in particular the Viking-style ‘Space wolves’ - wear garments which appear to be made from animal fur.

Fans of the game have been left outraged and baffled after PETA slammed the Warhammer 40,000 series, responding with: “It’s only painted plastic!”

In a letter to the Games Workshop CEO Kevin Rountree, PETA said: “These battle-hardened warriors are known for their martial prowess – but wearing the skins of dead animals doesn’t take any skill.”

Although the characters are fictional, PETA’s letter reads: “Draping them in what looks to be a replica of a dead animal sends the message that wearing fur is acceptable – when, in fact, it has no more place in 2017 than it would in the year 40,000”.

It adds: "Indeed, nothing on the bloody battlefields of Warhammer's war-torn world could match the horrific reality that foxes, minks, rabbits and other living beings experience at the hands of the fur trade."

Many players of the popular Warhammer game found PETA's stance baffling.

James Wilkes said: “PETA has my respect for standing up to the end of people wearing dead animals’ fur but trying to stop painted-on fur on Warhammer is a joke.”

David May said the controversy was “possibly the stupidest thing I’ll hear today.”

Twitter user Glenn said: “Please tell me the Warhammer request is a joke or fake news please.”

