A SOLICITOR who was hoping to join a dining club by eating 24 hard boiled eggs found the challenge just too much to stomach.

Mike Gilmour was one of seven hopefuls undertaking the mind-numbing 48oz challenge to join the Piggies Dining Club.

Since September last year, the only way to gain entry to the club was the ability to eat a 48oz steak, roughly the size of a toilet seat.

But initiates can join by eating 48oz of sprouts, sausage, fish fingers, or faggots - the latter challenge has never been completed.

President of the club, Jon Lewis, said the challenge has been set at 48oz, determined to be difficult, but not impossible.

Thursday night's initiation was the first time anyone had attempted the feat with eggs, now entitled the Cool Hand Luke Challenge, after a famous scene in the Paul Newman film.

"I went for the eggs because Jon Lewis had scared me about the size of the steaks. I thought eggs would be easier," said Mr Gilmour, who works with Worcester solicitors Harrison Clarke.

His plan had been to eat each egg in two bites. However, this only lasted for the first egg. By the 14th egg he had resorted to 25 nibbles.

"My throat was getting drier and drier," said Mr Gilmour, from Callow Hill.

"I tried everything to wash them down: water, wine, ketchup and ice cream."

In the end Mr Gilmour abandoned his attempt after 14 eggs, although he now has plans to return and take on the steak.

"I feel quite heavy today, but not as bad as I thought I would," he said.

The 48oz bowl of sprouts and the Jenga Tower of fishfingers also proved too much, but all four initiates attempting the steak challenge were successful.

Dave Rico completed his steak in the fastest time - 25 minutes - but was still well shy of the club record, which stands at 10 minutes 32 seconds.

More than 30 club members who attended the initiation night placed a £5 bet on who would finish first, with the winner nominating a charity for the cash.

Mr Rico chose to split the money between Macmillan Cancer Relief and Acorns Children's Hospice.

The eating feast feat took place at the King Charles restaurant on New Street in Worcester.