Animal rights campaigners PETA have hit out at Matthew Herbert's album 'One Pig' which aurally follows the life and death of a pig.

Yesterday we reported that Herbert had been refused permission to record the sound of his pig subject being slaughtered in the abattoir in what was billed as a “crucial part” of the project.

In a statement issued to Gigwise, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) slammed Herbert's intentions.

A spokesperson said: “No one with any true talent or creativity hurts animals to attract attention, but we are sorry Matthew Herbert couldn’t include the screams of pigs being made into bacon on his record, as they would have instantly turned some people into vegetarians.

“Pigs are inquisitive, highly intelligent, sentient animals who become frightened when they are sent to slaughterhouses, where they kick and scream and try to escape the knife. They are far more worthy of respect than Matthew Herbert or anyone else who thinks cruelty is entertainment.”

The pig in album project has now been slaughtered and its meat will be sent to top chefs, including Heston Blumenthal, for a banquet, while Herbert will make a drum from the skin, a flute out of its bones, a toothbrush from the bristles and ink from its blood.