Mum's 88-strong herd of guinea pigs have 265,000 Facebook fans

This mum who quit work to care for a herd of 88 squeaking guinea pigs is quids in after they gained 265,000 fans on Facebook - raking in over £40,000 a year.

When former shop worker Sophie Mason, 31, of Lincoln, first acquired six little piggie sows - or females - just before her honeymoon with RAF serviceman Mark, 45, four years ago the couple decided half a dozen pets was plenty.

But one 'sow' was actually a boar - or male - so the newlyweds and their sons Joshua, now 10, and Jacob, eight, soon had a muddle, or herd, of 16 guinea pigs to care for.

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Sandown Races

ESHER, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Ryan Moore falls from Rifleman after it veers when making its challenge inside the final furlong during The bet365 Esher Cup Handicap at Sandown Park Racecourse on April 23, 2021 in Esher, England. Sporting venues around the UK remain under restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Only owners are allowed to attend the meeting but the public must wait until further restrictions are lifted. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)