Victoria Beckham upsets PETA with handbag collection

The 36-year-old fashion designer has been forced to increase security ahead of the launch of the new collection, which have reportedly been made from crocodile, lizard and calf leather.

PETA are rumoured to have been planning an attack on the star to highlight the issue.

A source said to UK newspaper Daily Mirror: 'PETA have been on Victoria's back for weeks, sending email after email, and even publicly tweeting her, posting things like: 'Skins are never posh, posh.'

'But it's not as if Victoria is going to the Everglades and strangling the crocs with her bare hands. PETA know she is high-profile and that whatever stunt they pull will garner mass publicity.

'The fact her bags were so well received at her recent showcase in New York has simply given them more incentive. One of the ideas being mooted is that Victoria gets covered in a bucket of animal blood - cow or lizard - at her next UK public appearance.

'Another rather sick suggestion was to pelt crocodile feet at her when she goes to an editors' lunch in London next month. Victoria tried not to surround herself with bodyguards but her security has had to be increased.'

A spokeswoman for Beckham said: 'Everyone is entitled to personal opinion and choice, but as with all Victoria Beckham products, the handbags are made to the highest quality and design.

'These skins sit strictly within the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulations, and are monitored at every step of production.

'The skins are farmed in America under very tight guidelines.'