BEAR, rabbit and fox fur hats made for the military have cost the British taxpayer more than £910,000 since 2005, official figures showed yesterday.

According to the Ministry of Defence, 925 bearskin ceremonial caps, as made famous by the Royal Guard, have been bought since 2008.

Spending on the hats from Canada was £149,379 in 2015 alone, with the total spend since 2008 hitting £880,163.

A further 55 rabbit and seven fox fur hats had been ordered since 2005 at a cost of more than £300,000.

Defence minister Philip Dunn said in Parliament the pelts came from culling programmes licensed by the Canadian government.

“Animal welfare standards relating to the bear cull are a matter for the Canadian government,” he added.

Despite promises made to animal rights activists, the MoD reportedly has not carried any trials on finding synthetic alternatives for the hats since 2007.