POTATO lover Alex Kerr has smashed a national competition by designing a range of healthy fillings for a baked potato to appeal to younger taste buds.

The 13-year-old would be car designer from Loreto Grammar School got under the skin of the judges with her cookery concepts which certainly weren't half baked.

From thousands of entries nationwide the National Potato Council chose Alex's range of healthy and easy to eat fillings which contained a balance of all the food groups and complemented the sweet flesh of the not so humble potato. Whether cheese or chilli, tuna or sweetcorn Alex designed a filling to suit every taste.

Alex, who wants to be a designer ultimately working in the car industry, said: “The aim was to produce something both appetising and healthy; fillings that would complement the natural taste and texture of the potato and be enjoyed by children of my own age and younger.”

Alex added: “I love potatoes especially mashed potatoes. They are a wonderful source of carbohydrate for energy and have a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals particularly Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Potassium and Magnesium.”

Loreto Grammar School food technology teacher Frankie Wray said: “Alex made a wonderful presentation, which labelled all the elements precisely and took account of the benefits of what people think is just a simple potato. She clearly has all the skills to become a top designer.”

Potatoes are the world's fourth largest crop after corn, rice and wheat, with farmers producing over 314 million tons per year.

Alex added: “Potatoes are grown all over the world but I think our own Cheshire potatoes are the very best.”

Alex wins a a special Ready Steady Cook demonstration from a top chef for her cookery class at Loreto Grammar plus a £50 voucher for new school equipment.