Developer brings homes the bacon

The RSPCA has condemned the unusual promotion

A housing developer plans to encourage potential buyers by offering a free pig with every purchase.

Property magnate Jeremy Paxton has made the unusual offer to anyone investing in a home on the exclusive Lower Mill estate, near Cirencester, Gloucs.

The rare Gloucester Old Spot pigs will be "fully house-trained".

Alternatively buyers can have their pig kept on a farm and eventually turned into what the developer describes as the "finest pork loins".

A spokeswoman for Mr Paxton said: "It will make a change from having a Labrador.

Two buyers

"Pigs take about as long as a puppy to house-train and will then be ready to move in with their new family.

"You don't have to keep it in your house, of course. You can name it, visit it on the farm and then of course enjoy bacon or sausages when they get a bit older.

"People who have come to the estate have found the idea pretty funny."

The offer, which runs throughout September, has already attracted two buyers who have decided to keep their new friends on the farm, when their houses are built next year.

The bizarre scheme was, however, condemned by the RSPCA, who branded the promotion "irresponsible".

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "The RSPCA believe taking on an animal should be a carefully-considered decision, based on ability and knowledge to care for that animal in the proper way."