Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Spud you believe it, they've had their chips!

Conrad Astley
14/ 2/2003

THERE'S something of a mystery going on in Worsley, with the Morse family depriving themselves of the nation's favourite dish.

The family, from Thornhill Drive, have agreed to take part in an experiment to go without potatoes, the basic cornerstone of the British diet, for three whole weeks.

They had their last supper this week before depriving themselves of staple mealtime favourites such as chips, mash, or baked potatoes.

Their home was stormed by a 'potato patrol' on Tuesday, who forcibly removed any potatoes or chips from their freezer and kitchen cupboards to mark the start of the fast.

And while they are on the spud wagon, the Morses will be monitored by psychologist Dr Arik Sigman, who will see what happens when they have to go without the easy option of putting potatoes on the kids' plates or the simple pleasure of getting a bag of chips.

The Morses were one of five potato-mad families chosen nationally to take up the challenge, organised by chip-makers McCain.

Mum Kathy, a teaching assistant, spoke to us on day 1 of the trial, and said it wouldn't be easy keeping daughters Emily, aged nine, and seven-year-old Hannah, off the fries. Dad Andrew, a warehouse manager, would be celebrating his 40th birthday during the potato drought and would hate not being able to have a bag of chips on the way back from the celebrations.

Kathy said: "I think it'll be pretty hard as we're quite big potato eaters. I work at schools and it's chips day today but everyone's keeping an eye on me!"