An animal rights group has called on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to make the switch to faux fur during a protest outside Windsor Castle.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) held a demonstration outside Windsor Castle today, Tuesday, November 15, calling for the tradition of bear-skinned caps to be changed.

During the changing of the guard ceremony from 10:45am to 11:00am the group could be seen holding a banner reading 'Bearskin caps? That's old hat! Switch to faux fur'.

Dating back to the 19th century, bear-skinned caps are used to adorn the King and Queen's guards who patrol the Royal Residences.

PETA’s Senior Campaigns Manager Kate Werner said: "This banner was part of our campaign urging the ministry of defence to switch to faux fur for making the kings guards caps.

"It is inexcusable that they are continuing to wage a war against black bears when you consider it takes one bear to make one cap.

"Together with a fauxfurier PETA has developed a faux fur alternative that meets all of the MOD's requirements and in some areas outperforms bear fur.

"Killing bears for ornamental caps is completely at odds with British people's morals."

Recent figures have shown that 95 per cent of the public are against fur, with an opinion poll in March finding 75 per cent of the UK considers it a bad use of taxpayer money and want the Prime Minister to take action to ensure the MOD make this switch.

PETA and partner organisations have offered Faux fur to MOD for free until 2030 which would save over a million pounds at the current cost of the caps, estimated to be £1,710.

The MOD has made the switch to faux fur for other garments, with PETA continuing to push for change having worked on this campaign for a couple of decades.

The activist group are currently meeting resistance from the MOD, with claims that they have refused to acknowledge a report from a fabric technologist who has found faux fur meets all the criteria set out by the MOD.

PETA has claimed that the resistance is partly down to the current secretary of state Ben Wallace, with claims that he believes bear skin is part of a glorious military tradition, which would be damaged if the switch is made. 

The Observer has reached out to Ben Wallace for comment.

Kate said: "Faux fur is a way to honour that tradition and continue it while reflecting 21st-century values, so the image of the cap will continue.

"No one would even notice that caps have changed. The appearance is virtually identical and would offer enhanced performance in many areas. It is a way to give a nod to tradition whilst reflecting our values as a society."