PYTHON, zebra, camel and crocodile are just some of the exotic meats being snapped up by the Essex public, producing a popular modern twist to traditional butchery.

Ben Rigby, who owns a game dealing business in Fambridge Road, Purleigh, says sales of wild meats are soaring among his customers.

The 49 year-old of Tollesbury said: "We sell a considerable amount of the exotic meats.

"When we started I thought it would be a novelty thing but a lot of people come back to buy more, especially kangaroo, bison and squirrel.

"There are a couple of people that come back again and again for those.

"There has definitely been an increase in people buying it and we re-stock everything as soon as it runs out. I have not tried much myself, although I do like a bit of game and venison. Python and crocodile are not high on my list."

Mr Rigby has been dealing game for nearly 30 years but only set up his shop three years ago, after deciding it would be best to stop people coming into the game processing warehouse.

He said: "We get people coming in and asking us to de-feather and skin animals they have caught, such as mallards, rabbits and pheasants.

"We still do it for them but it was becoming a health and safety hazard, with them coming into the factory."

Ben Rigby's warehouse is one of only about 16 game dealers in the country and he has 20 full-time staff working for him, including his 25-year-old twin sons and 19-year-old twin daughters.

He added: "My son Jack takes a fishing trawler out in the summer months and catches fish that we sell when the gaming season isn't as busy.

"We are the last commercial boat sailing out of Tollesbury."

D. S. Eagle Family Butchers, based in Writtle, has also noted the growing hype in eating exotic meat.

Rob Smith has owned the shop for just over two-and-a-half years and only three months ago decided to launch his exotic meat range.

The 41-year-old said: "A lot of people like the meats that we sell, which range from ostrich to springbok and they are really good for you.

"They are particularly low in cholesterol, so are very healthy and we keep them at a reasonable price."

Mr Smith also receives his meat from around the world, particularly South Africa, and has tried his whole range of exotic steaks.

He said: "I took the whole lot home and tried them with a nice salad. My favourites are kangaroo, ostrich and zebra, which actually happen to be our best-selling meats.

"I have lost quite a lot of weight since I started doing it.

"I wanted to mix traditional meats with new ones, with the idea of offering something for everybody."