HE’S been a familiar sight at the end of Cibi Walk for the past twenty-eight years but Pete the potato man has decided it’s time to jacket-in. He is hanging up his apron, holstering his spatula and riding off into the sunset.

Pete Underwood opened his baked potato stall in Abergavenny in 1990 and made £17 for his first day’s work. It took a while to build up the trade but a band of devoted followers has grown throughout the years with many now making a visit to Pete a vital part of their day out in town.

But for devotees of a delicious baked potato there is good news. New kid on the block, Mick the Spud, will be on hand from now on and he is a-peeling for all Pete’s customs to keep the faith with an assurance the spuds will be as tasty as ever.

Liverpool-born Mick, alias Michael Parker, is seeing a bright future for the baked spud trade. A former optics frame salesman, he plans to run the stall in the same location to provide continuity.

‘Pete is a hard act to follow, but I can promise all his fans they will get the same mouthwatering spuds they have become used to,’ promised Mick.

Pete added, ‘I will miss the stall and the banter with customers. I was one of the first businesses in Cibi Walk but I am leaving things in safe hands. Mick knows the ropes and he will always dish up a first class spud.’