Bizarre it may seem, but a 22-year -old British student suffers from a peculiar problem - she is scared of vegetables.

Vicki Larrieux from Portsmouth survives on a diet of meat, potatoes, cereals and an occasional apple as she suffers from a fear, called lachanophobia, which leaves her sweating and stricken with panic attacks at the sight of sprout or pea.

"I have always had an - irrational fear of vegetables - even as a child I used to properly freak out if some carrots or a few peas were on my plate. But as it continued into adult life I started to think it might not just be a dislike of vegetables but an actual phobia.

"Every time I would see vegetables, not just on my plate but anywhere, I would get feelings of panic, start sweating and my heart rate would shoot up," British tabloid the 'Daily Express' quoted her as saying.

Lachanophobia affects a few thousand people in Britain and treatments for it include "psychological reprogramming" to control the anxious response.

Vicki's condition makes routine trips to supermarket or a night out at a restaurant with boyfriend Joseph Jade, 25, a major problem. She said: "It is a bit of an ordeal to go to the supermarket because the veg is usually right by the door.

"My boyfriend is very understanding and does his best to accommodate me. It is a good job he isn't a vegetarian because it just wouldn't work. I am learning to control my fear but it isn't easy.

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