Ilminster potato supplier Branston had its busiest ever Christmas period, the company reported last week, with 20 lorry loads leaving the Seavington St Michael site on its busiest day.

The firm, which has branches in Lincoln and Tayside, as well as Ilminster, delivered nearly 10,000 tonnes of spuds to its main customer Tesco in the three weeks up to early January.

A spokeswoman said extra staff were recruited to cope with demand, five per cent up on last year.