STAFF at The Butts Farm near South Cerney were in for a shock this week when they did the daily egg collection from the hen coop.

Nellie the New Hampshire Red bantam hen had laid what is possibly a world record-sized egg for a bird of her type. The egg was so large Nellie's feet were off the ground on either side as she sat on it. The bird was also showing signs of distress after her ordeal.

Farm owner Judy Hancox explained: "It was obviously a stressful experience for her. I've never seen an egg this large laid by a regular hen. It could be a world record.

"After plenty of tender, loving care Nellie made a full recovery and is now back to laying her normal size eggs."

Judy has not yet decided what to do with the egg but said it would probably make an omelette large enough to feed the whole workforce at the farm.

Flo Porali, from the Guinness Book of Records, said: "This may well be a record."