DELABOLE Community Primary School has won one of the South West regional prizes in a national schools potato growing competition organised by Potato Council, on behalf of Britain's potato farmers.

Grow Your Own Potatoes is a project that thousands of primary schools participate in every year from March to June. This year more than 12,000 schools grew potatoes and Delabole Community Primary School, High Street, harvested the heaviest yield of Vales Emerald potatoes in the South West, weighing in at 3.2kg. Their prize is a raised bed from Marmax that can be enjoyed by the whole school.

Sue Lawton, Potato Council, said: "Many congratulations to Mrs Tiplady and her class on this wonderful crop of potatoes. I think it is very important that children understand more about the food they eat, how it is grown and produced. The Grow Your Own Potatoes project is an exciting way for children to connect with a staple food that plays such a key role in eating healthily. Potatoes are great source of energy whilst remaining naturally low in fat, packed with nutrients such as Vitamin C and are a good source of potassium, folate and vitamin B6."

Class teacher Kathryn Tiplady said: "This hands-on activity has helped the children to see for themselves how potatoes grow. By caring for the potato plant for four months they were able to learn about what plants need to grow - from light, water and food, to space, air and the correct climate. The class were delighted to have grown just over 3kg and are extremely proud to have won the South West prize for the heaviest yield of Vales Emerald."

Grow Your Own Potatoes is now recruiting schools for 2010 so if you know a school that would like to take part in next year's project visit http://www.potatoesforschools.org.uk">www.potatoesforschools.org.uk.