Officials in Peru are attempting to help citizens beat the economic crisis by encouraging them to swap the traditional, expensive option of turkey for Christmas lunch in favour of guinea pig.
A presentation of guinea pigs in Callao, Peru, to promote the initiative, included a live guinea pig dressed as Father Christmas next to eight less fortunate guinea pigs which were used to demonstrate various cooking methods.
One guinea pig only costs three US dollars and is able to feed between seven and eight adults, is protein rich and contains no cholesterol, making both a cheap and healthy alternative this Christmas.
