Meet the high-class hamster who will only eat fancy cheese from Waitrose

A pet hamster has developed high-class tastes - and will now only eat cheese from WAIOSE.

Jo Le Page, 40, says tiny Toffee used to enjoy cheese from any shop - until he sank his teeth into the good stuff.

Now he turns his hairy nose up at anything apart from Waitrose's Essential Extra Mature British Cheddar, Strength Six.

And although Jo only gives Toffee cheese as a treat on rare occasions, she says he remains picky.

The mum-of-two said: "I know hamsters aren't supposed to eat much dairy, but a little now and again is fine.

"But after he had some from Waitrose, he turned up his nose at Iceland and Co-op cheese.

"It was amusing - he clearly knew it wasn't Waitrose and he walked away from it.

"For his birthday this year we gave him a chunk with a candle in - not lit of course - and he grabbed the cheese straight away and started to eat it.

"People find it hilarious when I tell them - he lives a pampered life so he'll probably live a long time."

Jo, a pre-school worker, bought Toffee two years ago and he lives alongside their four guinea pigs and kids Grace, nine, and Isaac, five.

He lives a pampered life, she said - sleeping all day and only surfacing at the promise of Waitrose snacks.

In fact, Jo said Toffee would rather go without cheese than eat any other than Waitrose's Essential Extra Mature British Cheddar, Strength Six.

Jo, from Guernsey, said she had offered him a nibble of a cheese alternative from Iceland as well as one from Co-op and he "turned his nose up."

She said he also enjoys broccoli, green beans, roasted chicken slices and cereal - also preferring Waitrose branded items.

Jo added: "When I tell people about his expensive taste, they find it hilarious. Even the ones who don't like rodents think he's cute.

"Toffee's story always seems to cheer people up. I get my guinea pigs salad from Waitrose too - we're basically keeping the shop in business!"