Top Roman delicacies in their day – the revolting rodents and killer scorpions have now been replaced with reshaped chicken parfait and sardines with peppers to replicate the sting in the tail from the scorpion.

They are part of regular gastronomic feasts which have attracted hundreds of guests since they were introduced at The Wroxeter Hotel last year.

The hotel is built on the former ramparts of Viroconium – Roman Britain’s fourth largest city – mid way between Telford and Shrewsbury.

Chefs for The Wroxeter Hotel’s Roman Banquet have taken menu ideas for exotic food from authentic Roman dishes sourced to recreate a typical banquet circa 200AD.

“We had to make adjustments to suit modern tastes and because of the unavailability of the more “exotic” ingredients,” said the hotel’s assistant director Margot Foster.

“Guests are invited to eat with a knife and spoon and of course their fingers, however forks are available on request.”

Caesar’s cider and Roman wine from the neighbouring Wroxeter vineyard help to wash down the gastronomic delights.

“Doormice were a real delicacy in Roman times but chicken parfait tastes better to 21st century diners,” said Margot, who added that there had been renewed interest in Shropshire’s reputable Roman history with a recent tourism boost from English Heritage for its museum site next door.

Roman banquets are held for any number of diners from two to 200 on most nights of the week with some, like the English Heritage staff on a private night out, deciding to dress for the occasion.

Viroconium began as a legionary fortress developing into a thriving civilian city populated by retired soldiers and traders. In its heyday there were 5,000 citizens living on the site next to the A5 between Telford and Shrewsbury.