A PETITION calling on bakery giant Tunnock's to stop using palm oil in its products has attracted almost 5000 signatures.

Campaigners want the Uddingston-based manufacturer famed for its teacakes and caramel wafers to axe the oil from its production line because it is associated with the destruction of tropical habitats which are home to animals including the orangutans and Sumatran tiger.

Palm oil, a type of vegetable oil, is used for food products, detergents, cosmetics and - increasingly - biofuel.

Global production of palm oil has doubled over the last decade and is expected to double again by 2050.

Conservationists warn that the expansion of oil palm plantations in Indonesia, Malaysia and other Asian countries, as well as in Africa and Latin America, is threatening the tropical forests and biodiversity traditionally found in these regions.

A petition calling on Tunnock's to remove the ingredient from its products has now attracted more than 4,600 signatures from a target of 5000.

The petition urges the confectioner to stop using palm oil or "commit to using 'identity preserved' certified palm oil which does not come from deforestation plantations and prove it on your packaging".

It continues: "Tunnock's is a well known and loved Scottish brand, not only in its native Scotland, but around the world. Tunnock's should pave the way in the biscuit industry as being a leader in important environmental issues and show to be ecologically and environmentally responsible.

"Using uncertified palm oil in biscuits is contributing to the destruction of rainforests and the near extinction of orangutans and Sumatran tigers. For the unsustainable palm oil industry to flourish indigenous people´s homes are threatened, deforestation leaves animals homeless, carbon dioxide emits poison contributing to greenhouse gases and animals such as orangutans are either killed, badly hurt, starved, or left as orphans. Enjoying a Tunnock's Tea Cake should not reflect such monstrosities."

Louise Devlin, who set up the petition on website 38degrees, said a digital petition will be forwarded to the head office of Tunnock´s and a hard copy delivered in person.

A spokeswoman for Tunnock's said: "T.Tunnock Ltd is continuously reviewing ways to improve our processes and work only with reputable suppliers.

We removed hydrogenated vegetable oils and fats from our products and are working towards using sustainable oils and fats."