IPSWICH: It’s another cracking exclusive – we can today reveal that yet another giant egg has been laid by a chicken in Ipswich.

This time the egg weighs in at an impressive four and three-quarter ounces – double the weight of an average one.

It was laid by a hen belonging to Phil Sims at his allotment in Bramford Lane last week.

Mr Sims, 62, of Springfield Lane, said: “I’ve kept nine chickens at the allotment since June and they’ve always been very happy birds.

“They each lay on a regular basis but I’ve never seen an egg as big as this one. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it.

“My wife and I haven’t yet decided what we’re going to do with it. At the moment it’s in an egg box while we make our minds up.

“I know there have been a few stories this year about chickens laying giant eggs – maybe there’s something in the water.”

In February, Mark Cornish, of Temple Road, Ipswich, was astonished when his chicken Matilda laid an egg which was six times heavier than normal. It was 90mm long, had a circumference of 210mm and weighed in at 120grams. It was thought the egg could be the biggest in the world.

Just a month later, Chrissy Butler, of Henniker Road, Ipswich, was left shell-shocked when her hen Liberty produced a tiny egg which was a contender for the world’s smallest.

In September, four-year-old Courtney Culf and TJ Haworth found an egg on their farm in Aldeburgh, which measured 8in in circumference.

n Have you found a cracker of an egg? Call the newsdesk on 01473 324790 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk