Thin end of the veg

Festive dinner shortages fear

- NATASHA WYNARCZYK

CHRISTMAS dinner roast potatoes could be off the menu after bad weather sparked veg shortfall fears.

Recent storms have caused havoc for farmers, who were already struggling with one of the toughest-ever harvests.

Britain's potato crop is predicted to hit a record low of 4.1 million tons.

And experts say shops will be forced to supplement stock from cold storage in a bid to provide festive trimmings.

Fred Searle, editor of Fresh Produce Journal, said: "The British potato harvest has been hit hard by heavy rain and flooding in recent weeks, causing delayed lifting and large crop losses.

"This was preceded by a cold, wet spring and a cool summer.