A Macclesfield Dad has garnered thousands of followers for his creative vegan food Instagram page, which will make your mouth water.

Tantalising photos show zany big sandwiches such as a vegan tofu fish and chips and a wild garlic chickpea garlic crumpet burger.

Another mouth-watering spread shows a nativity scene made entirely out of vegan food.

Father and vegan lifestyle influencer Den Croke (39), who has lived in Macc since he was a small child, posts three creations a week.

He has attracted over 2,300 followers to his Instagram @gardenofveden, and first posted in August 2020.

While he has only been vegan for 18 months, his big sandwiches and burgers have had fans call him "The Willy Wonka of Vegan Food".

"What led to the account was me and my wife went to a party and we were suffering from a monstrous hangover the morning after," recalled Den.

"My wife wanted us to watch a documentary called Gamechangers, about plant based health.

"And all the health, animal welfare and environmental arguments were sort of singing to me in my hungover state - it made perfect sense.

"The next day we woke up, and went straight from carnivores to full-fledged vegans."

The self-described 'CEO of scran' has received multiple sponsored posts, which could allow him to earn a living from his page.

However, the father-of-three has refused to receive money from it.

"Three four months in a vegan clothing company touched base first," Den added.

It is not about the money for me. Most of the companies that get in touch are small vegan lifestyle brands like me.

"I want to use my brand to help out independent vegan businesses, I don't want to cash out on them.

"My advice to Macclesfield meat-eaters would be complicated. As you don't want to come across as a militant vegan.

"My kids aren't vegan. I don't want to be the guy that says 'your never going to have ice cream again'. I'll encourage them to make their own informed decisions, which is part of a parent's job.

"But to Macc carnivores I would say, I've discovered so many new things, I'm excited about cooking again. And there is a vegan alternative to everything. And to veggies, I'd say, just give it a try. You're almost there."

In the future, Den would like to see Macclesfield cafes and businesses offering more, better and affordable vegan options.

You can follow 'The Bad Boy of Bread', on Instagram @gardenofveden.

UPDATE: Den hit 3,000 followers on September 21, 2021.

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