Thatcher was urged to ask China for fertile panda

Giant pandas are notorious for their lethargy in the breeding department

Margaret Thatcher was urged to request a fertile female giant panda for Britain before a visit to China in 1982, government records show.

The prime minister was told it was needed because another panda, donated to London Zoo when Edward Heath was in Downing Street, had proved "highly unlikely ever to breed".

The male had "proved" his fertility and a baby was wanted, an official said.

Thatcher was also given a potted history of China before the trip.

Cabinet Secretary Robert Armstrong jotted down a reminder that the zoo would like to have a fertile female giant panda from her visit in September 1982.

A pair of the animals had been presented to Heath in 1972, but Mr Armstrong, later made a peer, noted: "Unfortunately the female is highly unlikely ever to breed."

Yet the male had "proved his fertility", he wrote, adding: "London Zoo would clearly like to have a fertile female and, in due course, a baby panda."

To help Thatcher improve her Chinese knowledge there was a guide that provided a briefing of China dating from "prehistory" to 1945.

After the visit, during which the future of Hong Kong was discussed, the prime minister sent a letter of thanks to an embassy worker who had "kindly" lent her some "Carmen rollers" to prevent a bad hair day.

The documents have been released by the National Archives at Kew under the "30-year rule", under which previously secret information is made public.