A woman's furious Facebook post after her husband returned from Tesco with a pricey leg of lamb has gone viral and sparked a hilarious online debate.
Rozalia Linder wrote that she was "absolutely mortified" when her husband Clive returned carrying the meat joint with the hefty price tag of £30.86.
The post went viral quickly with likes and shares racking up over the course of Saturday night from amused locals in Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester.
The whole community was gripped by what they dubbed "Lambgate", joking about whether Clive was in trouble with his furious spouse after forking out the sum, Manchester Evening News reports.
Rozalia posted a picture of the whole lamb leg on a Ramsbottom forum, with a caption that read: "I sent Clive to Tesco for a leg of lamb… £30.86p!!!…
"Absolutely Mortified at the price!! He did question the price and accepted the answer and paid….. however, I’m not prepared to pay this!!
"Some families don’t even have £30 a week to feed their children …. Something Needs to be done….. I Will be taking this item back to Tesco tomorrow and asking for my money back!!!!!!"
Many commenters agreed, saying that lamb was becoming more expensive - though many pondered how Clive was getting on after his wife's fury.
Some said it's not Tesco's fault and that Clive wasn't "held hostage" to pay the price, to which Rozalia jokingly responded: "I’ve held him hostage… and he’s being tortured as I type."
Soon local businesses were chipping in with offers of support for Clive, while one resident set up a "CliveAid" gofundme page.
The Old Cobblers Inn wrote: "This post is for Clive, if you're in the what's on in Ramsbottom group you will understand. Clive get back in the good graces and pop in for a carvery cheaper than the £30 leg of lamb and served all day."
The Red Lion at Hawkshaw posted: "You will probably agree that Clive deserves a free Sunday roast, so Clive! bring your receipt for the lamb and we'll give you and your other half a complimentary roast #saveclive ".
The quips soon came rolling in, with some suggesting Ramsbottom should now be renamed Lambsbottom in Clive's honour.
Bill Higham joked: "I don't know why Clive is being lambasted".
Ben Price added: "I know how you feel. Bought some venison the other day, that was dead dear too."
"Clive are ewe ok," quipped another.
Graeme Shepherd said: "I bet Clive is feeling a bit sheepish right now..."
Adam Bracegirdle wrote: "Ramsbottom was famous for the urn, the steam train, and now Clive".
Anthony Pye said: "I think we need to take poor Clive for a Sunday drink as he's no chance of a Sunday roast."
On the more serious side of the debate, people had plenty to say about the staggering price increases over the past year, and the struggles many now face, which Rozalia insisted was the point she is trying to make.
Louise Ashworth Emmett said: "Seriously? You can get nearly a week's shopping in Aldi for that? That's so expensive."
Alex Kyoto Brown said: "Cost of living is rising. It's not poor Clive's fault."
And while CliveAid was initially a joke, it has now been set up as a genuine gofundme to help all those struggling with the cost of food in the Ramsbottom area.
Resident Cat Gillet wrote: "Seeing as tonight it’s been widely shared that the cost of food is ridiculous at the moment, I’ve set up a genuine CliveAid go fund me, for donations to Ramsbottom Pantry (local foodbank).
"Let’s do something positive for our community."
Ramsbottom's farming community also had plenty to say on the issues around meat pricing - and tried to explain just why lamb is so expensive - and that people can expect further hikes this year.
Alex Barbour wrote: "I'd encourage you to farm your own sheep and you will discover that the price you paid, is actually more than fair.
"£30 for a leg of lamb 4 years ago, would be too much, but now, with the current inflation, don't be surprised if the same leg of lamb is priced at £40 by the end of the year."
In the comments on her original post, Rozalia insisted she still planned to return the leg of lamb to Tesco on Sunday to complain about the price - and residents are now on the edge of their seats waiting for the next instalment in the drama.
Dave Brown wrote: "Whatever happens today this has cheered me up no end, long live lambgate."
