Now, a potato with half the calories!

Scientists have developed a 'slimmer's potato', which has half the calories of the normal variety.

Here's good news for those hooked on to crispy fries, as scientists have developed a 'slimmer's potato', which has half the calories of the normal variety.

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Routine nutritional tests on the Vivaldi, a strain introduced to Britain five years ago, have shown that it also has less carbohydrate.

The company that promotes the Vivaldi said it was developed purely for its buttery flavour and that the findings had come as a surprise.

Tests by the Allied Laboratory Services found that, on average, the potato had 26 per cent less carbohydrate and 33 per cent fewer calories. That means that a typical 170g Vivaldi has around 29g of carbohydrates and 128 calories.

However, because the nutritional value can vary from potato to potato, some have up to 56 fewer calories and 38 per cent less carbohydrate.

Alison Watson, the technical manager of Naturally Best, said the potato took nine years to develop.

"It was done traditionally, by picking potatoes that have traits that you like then crossing those with a range of other varieties until you find something that works," she was quoted by the Telegraph, as saying.

"There have been low carbohydrate potatoes in America with similar values to this, but they do not have the taste," she added.