Paul McCartney has been praised by animal rights group PETA after announcing plans to boycott cancer charities that test on animals. The multi-millionaire former Beatle has supported cancer charities since his first wife Linda died of the disease in 1998. However on Monday he revealed plans to refuse funding to organizations that practice vivisection, after discovering a number of charities close to his heart advocate the practice.

The vegan rocker said, "When Linda died I said I would support cancer charities. Animal rights groups wrote to me pointing out that many were heavily into vivisection - and it's true. A doctor we knew out in America just admitted it as a matter of fact, innocently, like 'Well, sure we do.' What he doesn't realize is that he won't get a donation out of me for that very fact. There are better alternatives but you're not allowed to challenge the status quo."