Fun with potato models

Children are using their imaginations to create 'Spudtacular' models in a fun competition celebrating one of the nation's favourite foods. Staff at Bressingham Garden Centre challenged youngsters to turn the humble potato into weird and wonderful characters or famous celebrities, and the children have come up trumps.

Children are using their imaginations to create 'Spudtacular' models in a fun competition celebrating one of the nation's favourite foods.

Staff at Bressingham Garden Centre challenged youngsters to turn the humble potato into weird and wonderful characters or famous celebrities, and the children have come up trumps.

'I've made an alien,' said four-year-old Harry Button, of Blo Norton, whose entry certainly looked the part. He had used a large potato for the body and two smaller ones to give his colourful creation bulbous eyes.

His mum Clare said the competition was a nice thing for children to do over a cold weekend.

Five-year-old Jess Nixon, of Tivetshall, took no time at all in turning her potato into a pink princess complete with pretty dress and crown. 'I made it this morning,' she said, as she handed in her model on Sunday. Her mum Melanie added: 'It's nice to get kids to do more crafts at home.'

Most children taking part at the weekend opted for potato animals, the line-up featuring a dinosaur, spider, striped bee and a friendly-looking hedgehog, but the royal theme was popular, too, as there was also a king and queen.

Centre gardening expert Marie Kemp said the team had extended the closing date of the competition until this Sunday because of the cold weather, and visitors were being invited to vote for their favourite model.

There are two age groups - four to seven, and eight to 11 - and the winners each receive a certificate and a �5 voucher. The children's schools will receive a peat-free potato planter and a bag of seed potatoes so pupils can grow their own.

The contest was organised as part of a potato weekend held at the centre.