A CIVIL servant from the North-East has missed out on winning a packet with her exotic idea for a new flavour of crisps.

Mother-of-two Carole Wood, 54, of Durham City, came second in Walkers’ Do Us A Flavour contest.

Her Onion Bhaji flavour was one of six that the firm produced on a trial basis to see which most tickled snack-lovers’ tastebuds.

Mrs Wood came second with 221,032 votes but the winner with 232,336 votes was Builders Breakfast flavour – bacon, buttered toast, eggs and tomato – suggested by trainee midwife Emma Rushin, 27, from Belper, Derbyshire.

She wins £50,000 and will get a percentage of sales of her crisp but Mrs Wood has the consolation of already having won £10,000 for being among the six flavours in the contest.

“Someone had to miss out – there were six of us,’’ she said after the results were announced yesterday.

“The result was a complete surprise to everyone. I believe the sales of my crisp were quite good.

“Someone had to win and we were very supportive of each other. We have all become good friends. I’m really pleased for Emma because she is a nice person.

“My disappointment is that the crisps will not be staying around because I did enjoy them.

“I want to thank everyone who gave their support. There was a lot of people out there giving their support. It is much appreciated.’’ Mrs Wood still thinks her flavour was the king of them all. “I tried them all, but I’m biased because I like mine the best.”

She said she had thoroughly enjoyed her time during the voting campaign, which began earlier this year.

“I got to do things I wouldn’t have been able to, photo shoots, filming. They treated us well when we went down to London, we stayed in good hotels and had good meals.

“The people I have spoken to have been very supportive of the crisps. You never know, they might reappear on the shelves.’’ The other flavours were: Fish and Chips, 218,270 votes, Crispy Duck and Hoisin, 176,184 votes, Cajun Squirrel, 116,777 votes, Chilli and Chocolate, 114,775 votes.