THE annual debate over whether to have sprouts on the menu for Christmas dinner is already being wages in households up and down the country.

But supermarket giant Morrisons has nailed its colours to the mast in support of the veg after announcing it will begin selling Wonky Sprout Stalks in the fortnight before Christmas.

The firm says the move aims to help shoppers with the rising cost of Christmas, and to help British farmers whose crops have been affected by the unseasonably hot and dry weather earlier this year.

At 30 centimetres long, the new wonky sprout stalks have grown stumpy – compared to a normal sprout stalk at up to 75cm in length.

There are more than 50 sprout buttons on each wonky stalk which vary in size. Those at the very top are small at only two centimetres in diameter – so are perfect for kids, whilst those middle to bottom are large at nearly four centimetres across – so are good for adults.

As the buttons are differing sizes, the larger sprouts should be added to a pan first, then the smaller a couple of minutes later – to ensure that both are cooked through.

Morrisons new Wonky Sprout Stalks will help farmers, after a particularly difficult year for the British sprout harvest. Sprout fields have been dealt only 75 per cent of their required annual rainfall and have been subjected to temperatures of up to nine degrees hotter than normal.

Normally, if sprouts don’t have long stalks, they are not harvested - because farmers are unable to sell them. So thousands of imperfect British sprouts could have gone to waste this year.

By selling the wonky sprout stalks, Morrisons will be supporting British sprout farmers in Yorkshire and the Cotswolds.

Michael Weightman, sprout buyer at Morrisons, said: “Apart from being a little short, our wonky sprouts have exactly the same taste and nutritional benefits as normal sprouts.

"Whether you love them or hate them, we know sprouts are an important part of Christmas dinners up and down the country.

"We hope that by selling whole crops of sprouts – not just the ‘perfect’ ones – we can do our bit to support British farmers and reduce food waste this Christmas.”

The wonky sprout stalks will be sold in Morrisons supermarkets across the UK and will cost just 75p, compared to the standard price of £1.50 for a standard sprout stalk.