Official paprika king of North-East

A SUPERMARKET customer who bought five jars of paprika last year was stunned to be named the spice’s No1 buyer among millions of people in the North East.

Author Paul Jones, 39, was congratulated by Sainsbury’s – despite spending only £4.75 on the 95p jars.

Mr Jones, of Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, said: ‘I don’t think I earned the title because I have some bizarre paprika addiction – it’s more that other people in the region don’t buy a lot.’ He said he thought the Sainsbury’s email declaring him top buyer was ‘pure comedy’.

He joked: ‘Maybe I’ll start working my way down the spice rack? This year I could buy a lot of cumin.’

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s rewards partner Nectar said: ‘If you’re a No 1 buyer, you should be proud.’