CLEAN OUT your potato stores properly or risk losing thousands of pounds, warns the British Potato Council.

“Problems caused by a lack of preparation can result in thousands of pounds of lost revenue,” said BPC storage expert Adrian Cunnington.

“Check probes for damage, replace any that are faulty and use a hand-held unit to compare sensors for accuracy.”

He calculated that an 800t store costs around £20,000 to run every year, so it is vital that temperature probes work and give accurate readings.

“Vacuuming floors and walls will remove dirt left from last years‘ crop.

“Powerwash and disinfect dirty storage boxes and grading machinery, especially if they‘ve been handled in the wet rot season,” he added.