LITTLE John by name, but not so little by nature.

At 26 inches tall Little John, a one-year-old Brahma cockerel who lives at Mountfitchet Castle in Stansted, has smashed the record of tallest chicken at the 10-acre tourist attraction. The previous record holders, Bertie and Melvin, were 16.1 and 24 inches tall respectively – both are entered into the Guinness World Records.

Owner Jeremy Goldsmith said: “Staff feel Little John’s impressive height is due to the many visitors that hand feed him and the lovely lifestyle he leads. He will continue to grow until he is two years old, so who knows how tall he will end up?”

Little John who roams freely throughout the 10-acre Mountfitchet Castle site.