Late potato problem!

[muddy fingers]

I need your help. Just come back from a short break.
Left the allotment everything was ok and the late spuds we put in were growing really well(have grown Emerald Vale and Nicola) also have place at home in tubs 3 of each seed spud.
I have just had a look at the spuds in garden at home and noticed a slight blackening on the tips of the lower leaves.
Then my allotment neighbour has just called and said that half of my spuds have fallen and the leaves on the fallen ones have gone black and fallen off the stems are fine and leaves at the top of stems are still on but have a slight brown tinge!!
Unsure what this is!!
Sounds like both Frost and Blight Neighbour doesn't think there was any(frost) but it was predicted on the weather(and you know how much we can trust them)
All this has happened in six days, my neighbour didn't notice my spud probs on Tue/Wed.
Hope you can help
Thanks

[sewer rat]

Hi Muddy Fingers
Definitely sounds like blight to me - I'd get down there and remove all the tops asap - your spuds should still be okay.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Muddy Fingers (I usually shorten everyones name to the initials, but dont think I can do it in your case - I'll send you an pm if you need me to explain!)
I've just had the exact same problem with my christmas potatoes in pots - thank goodness, Ive chopped off all the dead and mangy bits - not left with much, but well, will give it a go! I blame the horrible wet weather we've had. Hope yours turn out OK. dexterdog

[muddy fingers]

Thanxs

Thanxs for your help guys.
Went down to the lottie this morning and it was worse than the neighbour said half of the spuds (which was about 30 seed pots) were laying down and the leaves and stems were black smelly and a orrible mush so we dug up everything and tried to burn but it was to wet and managed to retrieve about 5lb of med-small spuds.
Heart breaking really but what can you do
Thanks again for your advice
(didn't realise about my initials until you said dexter but had a laugh at what i would of thought!!)

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Muddy Fingers - yep, I've spent today pottering around, going to leave the remains of my so called christmas tatties for another week, but think I'm just putting off the inevitable Ordered some more from Adam at seedsforsuccess so will give those a go when they arrive. dexterdog