The sandwich turns soggy

THE sandwich's status as the bread and butter ingredient of the British lunchbox is under threat, sales data showed yesterday.

The culinary creation that Britain gave the world 250 years ago is falling out of favour amid competition from continental alternatives, researchers said.

Sales of bread, traditional rolls and baps across all retailers have fallen by 1.2 per cent, while sales of croissants have soared by a third and tortilla sales have grown by 18 per cent.

Bagels, the New York favourite, have increased by 11 per cent, according to data from TNS Global Market Research.

Supermarket Tesco said the new sales data showed Britain was moving away from its "hackneyed continental image of a nation that lives on fried breakfasts, and a meat and two veg diet".