A Teesside food blogger believes that he has ordered ‘the UK’s biggest ever bacon butty’ after asking staff at his local Greggs for a sandwich with a mammoth 51 rashers of bacon in it.

Craig Harker, 35, who is also a pub owner, from Stockton, might have made a name for himself for taking on humongous food challenges – but this latest one might have been one step too far.

After deciding he wanted to start the day off with a bacon sandwich, he headed to the Stockton branch of Greggs last month and ordered the 2,500-calorie snack.

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Footage shared on Craig's social media account 'Dad Loves Food' on shows the blogger eagerly waiting for his £16.40 sandwich - which had to be served in a doughnut box, as staff members of Greggs start to pile on the rashers of bacon.

Despite starting off strong, the dad-of-three was unable to finish the sandwich – and conceded defeat.

Speaking about the sandwich, Mr Harker said: “'I think it's the UK's biggest bacon bun - I know we were hitting some sort of record.

“I was just driving past and fancied a Greggs bacon sarnie, so I went in and said, "Can I have the biggest you can make me?"

The Northern Echo: Craig Harker with his sandwich. Picture: CRAIG HARKERCraig Harker with his sandwich. Picture: CRAIG HARKER (Image: CRAIG HARKER)

“When I reached 50, she said, "I think we should stop here. I don't think we've got a box big enough.

“It's the biggest bacon sandwich I've ever seen in my life - it was huge.

“It absolutely destroyed me - I didn't get halfway down so I failed miserably, but I took it home to my family and everyone made sandwiches out of it.

Craig, who runs his food blog alongside owning and running The George Pub and Grill, set up his page to let his followers in on 'secret menu' items as well as sharing discounts for people who need 'a money-saver.

He added: “I'm passionate about food, so it turned into the perfect job to be honest.

“When I go out reviewing food, I love advertising and supporting other businesses, especially independent ones.

The Northern Echo: The sandwich had to be served in a doughnut box. Picture: CRAIG HARKERThe sandwich had to be served in a doughnut box. Picture: CRAIG HARKER (Image: CRAIG HARKER)

“It's about trying to show people there's almost like a secret menu that's available if you ask for it.

“The Greggs bacon butty is a national institution - everyone throughout the country knows what they serve, and everyone lives within about 10 miles of one.

“The fact that it's readily available means anyone, anywhere in the country can go and get that whenever they want.

“But I reckon if everyone did that Greggs would have a nationwide bacon shortage.”

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