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Scientists claim to have be close to engineering a GM 'super spud' which is healthier to eat, cheaper to grow and better for the environment.

The British team has agreed government funding to develop the potato, which would have beneficial genes inserted from other plants to create the perfect all-round crop.

Scientists at the publicly-funded Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich claim they have designed a potato which takes eight genes from other varieties to solve many of the problems faced by the common spud.

Scientists claim to have be close to engineering a GM 'super spud' which is healthier to eat, cheaper to grow and better for the environment. A stock image of non GM potatoes is pictured

They hope to conduct the first field trials in 12 months' time - a proposal which was met with anger last night by anti-GM campaigners.

Critics say that tampering with the genes in crops to create 'Frankenstein foods' could damage natural ecosystems or even affect human health.

And they insist that the taxpayer should not be funding a development which will never be accepted by British consumers.

Professor Jonathan Jones, who is leading the project, said: 'We have an exciting new project in the pipeline for one of the nation's favourite foods – the potato.'

He said the new potato 'aims to be better for the environment, reduce production costs, reduce waste and also be healthier'.

Critics say that tampering with the genes in crops to create 'Frankenstein foods' could damage natural ecosystems. A stock image of a protester is shown

Three of the additional genes will in theory reduce the risk of potentially harmful acrylamide chemicals forming when potatoes are fried - a problem which has been linked to cancer.

Three of genes will ward off potato blight, a fungal disease which can devastate potato crops and costs UK farmers £60million a year in losses and use of fungicides.

And two of the added genes are resistant to nematode worms, which also damage crops.

Writing on his blog, Professor Jones said: 'If we could take all these genes, if we could introduce them all into one potato, we could have a spud with reduced chemical impact on the environment, less waste, while also having lower levels of acrylamide when cooked and the associated health benefits.'

The scientist, who is already in negotiations with US firm Simplot to commercialise the potato, insisted GM technology is the only way to achieve such results.

He said: 'Introducing all these genes at the same time is only possible through genetic modification.

'GM as a technology has been shown to be safe, as highlighted in a number of recent publications.

'Before it can be sold it will need to be extensively tested and will require authorisation from the European Food Safety Authority, and approval by EU ministers and the EU Commission.'

Professor Jones added: 'We know that some people have concerns about us partnering with industry, but as research scientists we are not best placed to complete the research-to-table pipeline by ourselves – we need commercial partners if the public are to gain the benefits of our research.' 

Professor Jones and his team at Norwich have previously developed a potato which, after three years of trials, was shown to effectively ward off blight and increase yields.

They sold the results of that research to Simplot, and now are looking to develop the idea further by introducing further genes.

But they will first have to get permission for at least three years of field trials, taking place behind high fences to keep protesters out. 

Professor Jonathan Jones, who is leading the project said the new potato 'aims to be better for the environment, reduce production costs, reduce waste and also be healthier'. He hopes to conduct field trials in just 12 months time. A stock image of a field of potatoes is shown

Although there have been field trials in the past, no GM food has ever been commercially grown in Britain, warded off by labyrinth European regulatory system which makes it very difficult for crops to get the required environmental licences.

It means that although British researchers are leading the way in developing the technology, the end results are usually snapped up by foreign firms.

Anti-GM groups last night said the whole concept was a waste of taxpayers' money - and even if the scientists' claims were proven, consumers would never want to buy the resulting food.

Peter Melchett, policy director of the Soil Association, said: 'A previous GM potato, launched in 2009, was claimed to be the answer to the blight disease common in the UK potato crop.

'Now we're told that won't work, and a GM potato needs up to eight different GM characteristics to be useful.

'This is another example of pro-GM campaigners constantly claiming that some miracle GM crop is just around the corner.

'In the meantime, none of the main food companies that buy potatoes, like crisp manufacturers, in Europe or in America, have said they would be willing to buy a single GM potato, whenever they are available. As with other GM research, this is a complete waste of time, money and scientific expertise.'

GM Freeze director Liz O'Neill added: 'Blight is very good at evolving - this might just force a faster evolution of the disease.' 

'FRANKENFOODS': THE TRUTHS AND THE MYTHS

Suspicious research: Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini, who authored a study claiming GM gives you cancer, is backed by a homeopathy group

The myth: Food that has been genetically modified may be harmful to humans. 

And that doesn't include many more made with milk or meat from animals given GM feed.

There has yet to be one case of any ill-effect.

The myth: Trials show GM feed may cause cancer or stomach problems in animals.  

The truth: The author behind the 'bogus' research fuelling this claim, Prof Gilles-Eric Seralini, is closely linked to and funded  by leading members of a homeopathy group which believes bone cancer can be cured with water and minute quantities of magnesium.

The research has been attacked by every major scientific institution in the field, including the European Food Standards Agency.

The myth: GM strains will cross-pollinate and so 'contaminate' other crops and man will have irrecoverably interfered with the stuff of life.

Others like potatoes are cultivated via tubers, so pollen is not an issue for them either. As for rice, it's also mostly self-pollinating.

The myth: Organic food is safer.  

The truth: The Food Standards Agency says there's no evidence – and furthermore, germs from manure create risks of their own: an E. coli outbreak in organic beansprouts in Germany killed 50 people in 2011 and last month in the US 100 people contracted the serious liver disease hepatitis A from organic berry yohurt.

The myth: GM will lead to a stranglehold by multinationals like Monsanto. 

The truth: Many GM crops have been developed by universities and are not patented.

The full cost of developing Golden Rice, which will remedy the vitamin A deficiency which kills and blinds millions of children per year, is being met by the charitable project  behind it.