No 'small potatoes' for marketing

The variety was discovered in the late 19th Century

The States is to spend £250,000 promoting Jersey Royals this spring.

The money will be used in a newspaper marketing campaign in the UK over the potato season, starting in May.

Assistant Economic Development Minister Alan MacLean said the island's £23m industry was expanding, with more fields being ploughed up by growers.

Jersey Royals are the island's biggest crop export. The seasonal average for production is 45,000 tonnes, of which 99% is exported to the UK.

At the peak of production in May, up to 1,500 tonnes are exported daily.

More than 70% of the island's agricultural turnover relates to Jersey Royals, which were discovered in the late 19th Century.