Last updated at 12:10 18 October 2007

A bizarre breed of guinea pig that was created for laboratory testing more than 30 years ago has become the latest designer pet.

The skinny-pig has no hair on its body except for tufts on its face and feet - so needs strong suncream in the summer and a jumper in winter.

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They eat three times the amount of a normal hairy pig and their dry skin requires moisturising. But animal lovers are willing to pay up to £150 for one.

Skinny Pigs were created using mutated genes during the Seventies and their bare skin was used for dermatological experiments.

Research labs eventually handed the creatures over to breeders who have mated them with traditional guinea pigs to strengthen their immune system.

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They are now becoming a surprise hit, particularly with allergy sufferers.

But Skinny Pigs are becoming so popular that demand is now outstripping supply for the wacky looking rodents.

Traditional breeders are sceptical about the craze, frowning on the breeding of a creature that need's Sun Protection Factor 50 in the summer and a custom-knitted jumper in the winter.