HUNDREDS of veg lovers descended on Saltaire's annual celebration of the humble potato today, which proved so popular that some varieties sold out within minutes.

The West Yorkshire Organic Group's Potato Day, held in Exhibition Hall, is one of the district's quirkiest events, with dozens of different varieties of spud, from Casablanca to British Queen, on sale.

Seconds after the doors opened there were more than 100 people perusing the different varieties, and within a few minutes the crowds around the most popular varieties were several deep.

The first to sell out this year was the Pink Fir Apple, in just five minutes. After six minutes there were no more Sharpo Mire left, and after 15 minutes the boxes for Cara and Red Duke of York were also empty.

The potatoes on sale are seed potatoes, for growing rather than eating.

There was also a seed swap, run by local group Veg on the Edge, as well as plants and compost for sale and a talk by potato expert Alan Romans.

Peter Taylor, chairman of the WYOG, said: "Some varieties are remarkably popular, and go very quickly.

"It changes year on year which is the most popular. A few years ago Delia Smith said Desiree potatoes were the best potato, and they sold out very quickly that year, but then they didn't sell out the next year.

"It is a fantastic event, it shows how popular home growing has become. Particularly in times of austerity, people seem to be growing their own potatoes a lot more.

"When we first opened the doors I counted 125 people coming through straight away which is great considering the weather today."

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