It is the ultimate austerity accessory.

The toast sandwich – which consists of a slice of toast between two slices of bread – is a recipe that dates back to the Victorian age.

And now the Royal Society of Chemists (RSC) says that the simple dish of Mrs Beeton could be due for a revival in these hard times.

RSC member Dr John Emsley said the sandwich might be just what Britons need to get through the ‘harsh economic times’ ahead.

He added: “We could have gone for one of the thousands of recipes that Mrs Beeton employed, most of them being table-groaning creations full of meats.”

The cost of the toast sandwich? A whopping 8p.