These little piggies carry diseases...

Young micro-pigs are no bigger than a can of Coke. Photo / Caroline Shaplin

They are the celebrity must-have gift of 2010, with Katie Price and Harry Potter star Rupert Grint said to have fallen for the charms of the micro-pig, which can sell for thousands of dollars.

But parents in Britain have been urged not to buy the miniature porcine pets for Christmas, with the Government set to warn this week that they risk spreading dangerous diseases.

Ministers are so nervous about the craze, which has led to several owners being mis-sold regular piglets which grow into full-size sows, that guidance is to be rushed out next week specifically targeting prospective keepers of the pocket-sized creatures.

The agency responsible for ensuring farm animals are healthy, disease-free and well looked after, will raise serious concerns about the hygiene threat posed by the animals.

It will warn: "Before buying a pig, hobby keepers and owners of pet pigs or 'micro' pigs must make sure they are aware of, and understand their obligations, so they can keep their animals fit, healthy and legally compliant and help them to avoid unwittingly spreading disease."

Sick pigs can pass on zoonotic diseases to humans, which can include the skin condition erysipeloid and the bacterium Streptococcus suis, which can lead to illness including meningitis and deafness in humans.

Simple actions such as washing hands and avoiding contact with animal excrement can prevent many infections, but the Government warns: "Parents and guardians should take into account the likely vulnerability of children to infection, and the difficulty in getting them to observe good hygiene practices, when deciding to keep any animal, including pigs."

Jim Paice, the British farming minister, said: "A pig is a farm animal, not a pet for Christmas. A micro-pig may sound like a popular gift idea - but beware the pig that grows too big. This year already I've heard some interesting stories about micro-pigs becoming bigger and outgrowing their homes. So if you'd like to see pigs this festive season, pop along to your local petting farm."

TINY PORKERS

* Micro-pigs have been bred down from normal size porkers.
* The pigs weigh just 28g at birth and are the size of a teacup.
* Two years later they are fully grown - but still only weigh up to 29kg and stand at around 35cm tall.
* Micro-pics can live for up to 18 years.

- INDEPENDENT