THE chips are down for the potato-loving Morse family who have volunteered to go without their beloved spuds as part of a three week long experiment.

Such is their fondness for wedges, mash and other treats they were chosen from more than 500 applicants as the biggest spud enthusiasts in the North-west.

Now father Andrew, aged 39, mother Kathy, aged 35, and daughters Emily and Hannah, aged nine and seven, will be monitored by a psychologist to see how they cope when deprived of their dinnertime favourites.

Dr Aric Sigman's findings of how they, and five other families across the country, cope without their favourite food and how it affects their "dinnertime dynamics" will be published at the end of the study. The potato purge is part of a light-hearted promotion by chip makers McCains. The Morses are being paid to take part but have pledged to donate part of their money to Pendlebury Children's Hospital in Manchester.

A 'potato patrol' has visited their home in Thornhill Drive, Worsley, to empty the cupboards and freezers of all spud-based products. And they were even provided with an emergency 'break glass' supplies kit in case the urge to eat potatoes proves too great.

But as the three week challenge started yesterday, there were already signs that it was going to prove a real struggle.

Kathy, a part-time teaching assistant, said: "I'd normally go to the chippy with people from work today but I can't. One of my colleagues is sitting here with chips so it's already difficult.

"I can imagine living on pasta and rice for a week but not for three. We'll probably just end up having spaghetti bolognaise every night!"

Psychologist Dr Sigman, who will be working with the family, said: "Given our love of the potato, I expect living without this British staple is going to prove tough for the Morses.

"Taking the potato out of the equation could well have a huge impact on this family, psychologically and in their dinnertime dynamics."

And here are 10 songs/albums to help the family through their potato cravings...

Chippy Chippy Shake - Screaming Blue Jeans

For Your Fries Only - Sheena Easton

Monster Mash - Bobby Pickett and The Crypt Kickers

Norwegian Spud - The Beatles

No Jacket Required - Phil Collins

Marris Piper At The Gates of Dawn - Pink Floyd

Theme From M*A*S*H* - Mash

Chippytita - Abba

Wedgehammer - Peter Gabriel

Spud I Lie To You? - The Eurythmics