This little piggy wears its heart on its hind

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - A heart-shaped black mark on one little English piggy could just save it from being sent to market this Valentine's Day.

The Gloucester Old Spot breed normally have a smattering of black splodges on their pink bodies, but a piglet born on a farm in Gloucestershire, England has a perfectly formed heart shape on her hind quarters.

Born just before February 14th, the piglet has predictably been named Valentine by farmer Eric Freeman, who says love must have been in the air when Valentine's mother conceived.

"With Valentine's Day, maybe that was in her mind."

The animals, famous for their markings, are sold for their succulent meat.

But Freeman has said he is willing to spare Valentine from the butcher's block if someone out there falls in love with her unique marking and wants to buy her as a pet.

"After this bit of publicity, I don't know what'll happen."

(Editing by Paul Casciato)