Giant tortoises from the Galapagos Islands in Spalding Market Place today

Crowds are gathering around the pen to see Trojan (26), a 24 stone male, and four of his younger pals.

Owner Adrian Graham (45), who farms in the Sleaford area, will be taking his tortoises to the Lincolnshire Show next month but was delighted to give Spalding people a sneak-preview.

He described Trojan as a “teenager” because he will grow for another 20 years and gain a further 15-20 stones in weight over that time – and may well live to be 150-years-old.

Adrian began collecting giant tortoises in the Noughties because he’s interested in their conservation.

He said: “None of the zoos are actively researching them or trying to breed them for the future so I would like to do my little bit.”

So far, he says, no giant tortoises have been bred in Europe.

Adrian moved to Lincolnshire a couple of years ago and now farms around seven acres.

His interest in tortoises stems from a fur allergy when he was a child – that meant cats and dogs were ruled out, leaving him a choice of keeping fish or having a garden tortoise.

“I went down the tortoise route,” he said.

• Weather permitting today’s street show runs to 3pm.