Northern Ireland actor Liam Neeson is under fire from animal rights activists after claiming he ate wolf meat to prepare for his latest action hero role.

In The Grey, Neeson plays the leader of a group of oil workers being hunted by wolves after their plane crashes in the Arctic.

He said that during the shooting of the film the director suggested the cast eat wolf meat to get into character. Neeson (59) said he went up for seconds of the stew.

But animal rights group Peta hit out at the actor’s claims. The group issued a statement calling on the public to boycott the film.

It urged filmgoers: “Don’t just shy away, run away from The Grey.”

It said that rather than being predatory, wolves were shy of humans and would avoid all contact.