Giant ostrich eggs can feed a whole family

Fans of hard boiled eggs might need bigger toast soldiers when giant ostrich eggs hit the shelves of a Lincoln supermarket.

The distinctive white eggs – each one big enough to make an omelette for 15 people – are being supplied by county firm Oslinc, which many people will know from local farmers' markets.

But the company, who have 27 breeding "trios" on a farm near Horncastle, will soon see their produce, priced £18.99, appear in 31 branches of Waitrose – just in time for Easter.

Oslinc co-owner Susan Smith said the recent good weather had seen the birds start laying more eggs earlier than usual.

"We've been farming ostrich for 13 years, but it's only in the last three that we have supplied Waitrose.

"They take a couple of hundred eggs and we keep the rest to incubate.

"At the moment we have 27 breeders and so expect around 1,000 eggs this year.

"But this is the first time we've been able to provide eggs in time for Easter.

"With the nice weather we've had in the last ten days it seems the birds have just decided to start laying – and will continue to lay until August.

"So if people get a taste for them then they will be around for a few months yet."

Waitrose egg buyer, Frances Westerman, said: "Britons have proved they are game enough to try something other than the humble hen egg.

"Customers have been seeking out something a bit different and the ostrich egg is a real trump card when it comes to cooking over the long weekend.

"What better way to surprise guests this Easter Sunday than boiling one egg for all your guests's breakfasts?"