AND this little piggie . . . has turned into a right porker!

Looking at Nessa now it's hard to believe she was meant to be the Peter Pan of the pig world and never really grow up.

But when Swansea mum-of-four Tracey Lisk trawled the internet in her search for a must-have micro pig last February, little did she realise she would end up with such a large squealer on her hands.

Especially as Tracey, 44, of Hendre, Dunvant, had forked out such a large sum for such a pint size pet — which she named after one of the characters in the hit TV show Gavin and Stacey.

Breed

She said: "I paid £700 for her.

"I took my time looking for the breed on the internet and did my homework first."

She said she was inspired to buy the cute designer pig, as not only are they really clean but are also said to be sociable, easy to house-train, and make the ideal companion for allergy sufferers as they don't shed fur or hair.

But also lots of stars rave about them, with everyone from Hugh Grant to Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint singing their praises.

"I've watched shows like Paul O'Grady and all the celebrities have them (micro pigs)," she said.

"I thought she was growing rapidly at a couple of months old.

Bigger

"But now Nessa's grown into a pot belly pig — she weighs 18 stone and is bigger than my dog Lotus.

"I think she's now grown to about 17 inches high."

When the breed is bought as a piglet, it is expected to measure just eight inches from snout to tail.

The beautician, who bought the pig from Kent, said she had travelled to the English county to speak to the woman who originally sold it to her.

"I travelled from Swansea to Kent to get her but the woman would not do anything about it — she said she had sold 13 other pigs without complaint," Tracey said.

"But now I can't even contact her."

Since, Nessa has grown so large Tracey has had to rethink her homing arrangements for her and has had to move the pig out of the house.

She added: "Nessa would pull a radiator off the wall and she will destroy the kitchen if I left her in the house all day.

"I have an average garden where I keep the dog — but the pig is now in the garage and in the garden.

"That size pig should be on a farm."

Following her own experiences, the mum wanted to warn people to think twice before buying a micro pig.

"I would warn people to think about what they are getting into when they buy a micro pig, as they too could end up with a huge pig instead," she added.

Now Tracey is on the look out for a new home for Nessa, as she would rather see her cared for by someone than slaughtered.

"I've tried re-homing her in a community farm but they are not interested in her," she said.

"Perhaps someone could offer her a loving home."

Anyone who is able to offer Nessa a home should contact Post reporter Liz Perkins on 01792 514615.

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk