A novice who eats it can require hospital treatment for mouth blisters and burns. The new variety is named Infinity for its 'never-ending' burn, which cannot be quelled by even the best antidote, milk. It put the notorious Bhut Jolokia, which is so hot it's used in mob-control grenades in India, into second place.

Grower Woody Woods, 37, of Fire Foods in Grantham, said: "It is like eating red-hot coal. To grow such a burning hot chilli in our climate is unbelievable." He and pal Matt Simpson, 38, bred the Infinity in a greenhouse by crossing existing varieties. They hope to market the seeds this year.

Tests by Warwick University rate Infinity at 1,067,286 on the Scoville Scale which is used to measure the heat of peppers. The former record-holder, the Indian Bhut Jolokia, is 1,041,427. A jalapeno measures just 2,500 to 5,000. Weapons-grade pepper spray is 2,000,000.

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