AN MP publicly admitted eating a giant guinea pig in Peru this week.

It was quite possibly bred by a charity from Worcestershire.

One of the region's MPs, Bill Wiggin, wanted to know what it tasted like. But he didn't find out, as the conversation was upsetting the Deputy Speaker, Sir Alan Haselhurst.

It transpires that Sir Alan's son's girlfriend is in Peru at present, and he doesn't like the thought of her munching on an over-sized family pet.

This may be unbelievable, but I can promise it is true. There is even a Hansard record to prove it.

I have managed to trace the origins of this bizarre exchange back to 1997, when it emerged the Belbroughton-based Cusichaca Trust was to receive £295,000 of Lottery cash to help Latin American mountain farmers.

The Trust was given the grant to encourage them to breed a new super species of guinea pig to eat. (Normal sized guinea pigs are a delicacy in Peru - but they make only tiny portions.)

Predictably, it upset quite a few people at the time. But the story had long since been forgotten - until it was revived by Tory MP Michael Fabricant in a debate on the National Lottery Bill.

Complaining about daft Lottery grants of the past, he said: "To me, the most amusing example, however, was the £295,000 given to a Worcestershire charity to breed giant guinea pigs in Peru.

"I do not know about you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but I've walked in Peru, and I can tell you giant guinea pigs are not kept as pets in Peru - they are eaten.

"I have to confess - I know that I will receive many letters for having done so - that I have eaten a giant guinea pig in Peru."

At this point Sir Alan came in. He said: "I should tell the honourable gentleman that my son's girlfriend is in Peru, but that has as much relevance to the debate as his comments."

Mr Fabricant replied: "I am fascinated to know that, sir. I only hope that your son's girlfriend does not try a giant guinea pig in Peru or elsewhere."

At this point he ran out of time - much to the frustration of Bill Wiggin.

He said: "It is a great pleasure to follow my honourable Friend the Member for Lichfield, who is fast becoming a national treasure.

"I wish he had time to tell us how the guinea pig tasted before he was stopped in his tracks..."