From the country that invented the deep-fried Mars bar comes another culinary triumph: the deep-fried chocolate sandwich.

At 1,000 calories apiece, Scotland's latest delicacy promises to be one of the world's fattiest snacks.

The sandwich first appeared on the menu at an Edinburgh hotel, selling for 4.95 Euros, but is now available throughout the country for diners with a sweet tooth and a cast-iron stomach.

Debbie Walter, food and beverage manager of the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, where the sandwiches were introduced, said that they had proved popular with Scots, who favored fattening desserts over fresh fruit and low-fat options.

"The sandwiches are delicious. Also, if we sold only fresh-fruit salads we wouldn't have any customers," she said. "The healthiest food on our menu is a winter fruit soup and it is our worst seller."

The sandwich consists of two slices of white bread smothered in chocolate sauce, dipped in batter and deep-fried, then covered in sugar and more chocolate sauce.

It is served with vanilla ice cream, all of which is depressing news for nutritionists struggling to improve the nation's poor diet.

Sandra Drummond, a nutritionist from Queen Margaret University College in Edinburgh, said: "There is already far too much fat in the Scottish diet. It is no great secret that a fat-laden diet leads to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. This would never be my dessert of choice."

Amanda Wynne, a dietician with the British Dietetic Association, said: "These sandwiches could easily contain more than 1,000 calories - that is half of a woman's recommended daily intake." [via the London Times]