Bats, rats and snakes are still flying off the shelves at an Indonesian market known for its wildlife offerings despite a government request to take them off the menu over coronavirus fears.

Vendors at the Tomohon Extreme Meat market on Sulawesi island say business is booming and curious tourists keep arriving to check out the exotic meats.

Bat seller Stenly Timbuleng boasted at his stall in Tomohon that 'sales continue... it is always sold out.'

Scientists believe the deadly new virus emerged in a market selling wild animals in the Chinese city of Wuhan, and there is suspicion it could have originated in bats.

In Indonesia, the local government and health agency have issued calls to take bats and other wildlife out of circulation - but the request has been all but ignored.

Bat meat is still being sold at a market in Indonesia (pictured) despite a government request to take the product off the menu over coronavirus fears

Bats are traditionally eaten by the Minahasan people from North Sulawesi in the form of a curry-like dish called Paniki.

Whole bats are used in the dish, including the head and wings of the bat.

Glands from the armpits and the neck of the bat are first removed to get rid of the bad smell.

It is then grilled or torched to get rid of the bat's hairs before being chopped and cooked in a stew of herbs, spices and coconut milk.

'Bats are the favourite indigenous protein, particularly in North Sulawesi,' said William W. Wongso, an Indonesian culinary expert and cookbook author.

'My favourite part is the wings,' Wongso added.

Stenly Timbuleng, the bat seller, said his products are still selling for as much as 60,000 rupiah (£3.40).

'The virus hasn't affected sales. My customers still keep coming,' he said.

On an average day, Timbuleng sells 50-60 bats and during festive periods, he can sell up to 600.

Stalls at the Tomohon Extreme Meat market on Sulawesi island feature a dizzying array of animals

The Indonesian market features a bizarre array of meats including giant snakes, rats impaled on sticks and charred dogs with their hair seared off by blowtorches.

Some critics have described the gory scene as 'like walking through hell'.

Ruddy Lengkong, head of the area's government trade and industry agency, has issued a forlorn appeal for people not to consume meat from animals suspected to be carrying the disease.

Restaurateur Lince Rengkuan - who serves bats including their heads and wings stewed in coconut milk and spices - says the secret is preparation.

'If you don't cook the bat well then of course it can be dangerous,' she said. 'We cook it thoroughly and so far the number of customers hasn't gone down at all.'

Indonesia has not yet reported a confirmed case of the virus.

Vendors at the Tomohon Extreme Meat market on Sulawesi island say business is booming

In the capital Jakarta, vendors selling skinned snakes and cobra blood on a recent Saturday night didn't have any trouble finding takers.

'It's good for you, sir,' said one vendor of his slithering fare. 'Cures and prevents all diseases.'

The death toll from the virus in China jumped to 1,114 today after another 97 deaths were reported by the country's national health commission.

It came after 108 new fatalities were reported on Tuesday, the highest number since the outbreak began.

Two people have died outside mainland China, one in the Philippines and one in Hong Kong, bringing the global toll to 1,116.

More than 44,600 people have been confirmed as infected by the pathogen across China.

The virus is believed to have emerged in a market selling wild animals in Wuhan last year before spreading across China.