125-yr-old hams discovered hanging in attic

Two legs of ham more than 125 years old have been found in a farmhouse attic. The meat, which had turned a ‘light powdery brown sponge’, was discovered hanging by an auctioneer in Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire. Charles Hanson, manager of Hansons Auctioneers, revealed that he's often called to people's homes to look at fine art and antiques. But he admitted being surprised to find the legs - forgotten since 1885.

'The old strength of the rope was still holding aloft two legs of ham,' he commented.

'The ham had turned to a light powdery brown sponge and hadn't been touched for over 125 years.'

Unsurprisingly, the porky treats won't now be auctioned, though a 70-year-old Cadbury's Chocolate selection box also uncovered is expected to fetch between £20 and £30 later this month. The tale of the forgotten hams is now up there with the curious case of the charred-monkey-meat-in-man's-luggage when it comes to our favourite ever meat stories.

In that instance, a man who'd flown into Washington from the African city of Bangui was stopped at Dulles International Airport after a sniffer dog alerted customs officials. They then happened upon three charred monkeys in his luggage, as well as some deer meat and dried beef.


/Metro.co.uk/