An Essex farmer's potatoes could be the holy grail for chip-lovers - slimming spuds.

Heading for success - farmer Ian Mitchell, right, with his 'slimming spud'. Picture: STEVE ARGENT 40543-2

US researchers claim adora potatoes, produced and sold by Ian Mitchell, of Elmstead, contain a quarter fewer calories than other varieties.

With a third fewer carbohydrates than the average, they could even provide salvation for chip-craving followers of the controversial low-carb Atkins diet.

Mr Mitchell had no idea of the adora's nutritional qualities when he started to cultivate it seven years ago at Elmstead Hall.

Mr Mitchell was looking for a quick-growing crop he could sell to supermarkets early in the summer and was told the all-purpose kitchen potato, developed in the 1980s by Dutch firm HZPC, would be a good choice.

Following the claims made by the Florida research team about the potato's flab-busting properties, HZPC is said to be planning to market them across Europe as a healthy choice.

It is good news for Mr Mitchell, who is believed to be the only farmer in the country growing them.

He added: "We might get competition from the supermarkets now this has come out, but we will always be able to compete on price."

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Published Tuesday, January 18, 2005

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