VEGETABLE growers have accused Thomas Cook of a tasteless slur on that old Christmas favourite the sprout.

The travel chain has plastered adverts on hoardings nationwide, showing a less than appetising dish of the festive fair next to the message "It's time to leave the country".

The British Sprout Growers' Association - which has a seasonal catchline of "a sprout is not just for Christmas' - is particularly upset.

Association spokesman Roger Welberry said: "It is grossly unfair to illustrate the less appealing side of the festive season with a bowl of sprouts."

He was backed by world record grower Ian Henderson, of Prudhoe, Northumberland, who has described the advertising campaign as "cruel and unjustified".

Mr Henderson, 61, who made it into the Guinness Book of Records with his monster sprout weighing nearly 4lb, said: "Thomas Cook is being very cruel about sprouts, which are fantastic vegetables.

"It's unfair and unjustified to pick on any vegetables, but they should leave sprouts well alone because they are certainly not boring - this is a very low thing for them to do."

Last night, Thomas Cook announced that the posters will start to come down from next week.

Kevin Styles, marketing director for Thomas Cook, said: "Personally when I think of sprouts I wish I was tucking into a plate of paella on a sunny beach.

"The good old sprout probably does get a bad press, but then again it probably never gets this much publicity.

"We hope that the British Sprout Growers' Association can see the funny side."