Co-op plans buffalo bill of fare

THE ROAST BEEF of old England is about to face competition at the Co-op - from the American buffalo.

The North-Eastern Co-op is to sell buffalo burgers and steak after customers at three of its biggest stores registered their approval at tasting sessions. The burgers will cost 30p each and a piece of steak pounds 1.25. The idea came from a Co-op butchery manager had been asked by a customer for something unusual to serve at a barbecue.

Buffalo tastings were held at Newcastle upon Tyne, Darlington and Stockton on Tees. A spokeswoman, Suzanne Heron, said: 'A lot of people said they liked buffalo burgers better than beef burgers - they are lower in fat. It went so well we are now 99 per cent certain to start selling it as from next week. Buffalo is sweeter than beef but needs to be cooked at a lower temperature.'

She said it was a myth that buffalo were an endangered species. 'In America they are ranched, just like cattle.'