Bradford's chippies have pledged to keep their prices the same despite a national increase in the price of potatoes.

The price of raw potatoes has more than doubled in recent months across Britain according to the chip shop industry - with many owners being forced to put up the price of a bag of chips or face financial ruin.

In parts of the country a standard bag of chips can cost more than £1, but in the Bradford district prices remain much lower.

Brian Barnfather, owner of The Inn Plaice fish and chip shop in Sunbridge Road - where a bag of chips costs 65p - said his prices would stay the same.

He said: "The problem started back in December when the early crop of potatoes in Holland failed due to bad rains and they came across to buy from our farmers who bumped up the price."

Edna Bradley, owner of Mother Hubbards Fish and Chip Shop and Restaurant in Ingleby Road, Bradford - where chips are 70p a bag - said there would be no increase in her prices.

She said: "We have always paid the top prices for our potatoes and the price has gone up in the last few weeks but we have had to absorb it into our costs. I think the people of Bradford are probably getting some of the best value fish and chips in the country."

Alan Coup, owner of the Happy Haddock in Leeds Road (65p a bag), said he was trying to hold his prices despite more expensive potatoes.

And a spokesman for the Harry Ramsden's chain of fish & chip restaurants, (85p a bag at its Guiseley takeaway shop), said: "There are always peaks and troughs in the price of potatoes. What Ramsden's have done traditionally is iron out these changes and it is their intention to do just that this time round. There will be no price increases but we are keeping an eye on the situation."

But Beverley Greenwood who runs the Singing Fryer in Terry Road, Bradford (70p a bag), said if the prices continued to rise she would be forced to put up prices or close down.

The National Federation of Fish Friers's president Michael Pili, which represents Britain's chippies, said: "If prices do go up this is the first general increase on a bag of chips since around January 1995 and the average around the country is about 80p."

Potato industry estimates indicate that the UK crop will drop from last year's total of 6.8 million tonnes to 6.3 million.

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