EMMERDALE bosses are being urged to change The Woolpack pub’s name by an animal rights group.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claims sheep are abused in the wool industry and treated like “disposable machines”.

It has written to ITV and wants the boozer, a staple since the soap’s 1972 launch, to rebrand as The Plant Woolpack Inn.

But the move is likely to spark fury among fans.

Peta’s Jennifer White said: “Tradition is no excuse for cruelty. Lots of TV shows are modernising and developing to adapt with changing perspectives.

“We urge Emmerdale to change the name. Especially given how much sheep farming they talk about in that series.”

The group, whose celeb backers include actresses Gillian Anderson and Eva Mendes, insists the tweak would be small and send a positive message about animal welfare.

Ms White added: “We would of course be happy to contribute to any rebranding that would need to be done.”

Legendary Emmerdale character Amos Brearly was one of The Woolpack’s early landlords.

It is currently owned by Charity Dingle and her son Ryan Stocks, and has been at the centre of many huge storylines.

The pub was damaged by a plane crash in 1993, a 2003 lightning strike and an insurance job explosion on Christmas Day 2021.

ITV was approached for comment about Peta’s letter.

There are at least 50 UK pubs called The Woolpack.

Peta recently urged one in Slad, Gloucs, to switch to The Plant Woolpack.

But owner Dan Chadwick rejected the idea and said the name was rooted in centuries of local history.