IT'S good news for slimmers again - Nestl Rowntree is to launch another low-carb version of one of its chocciest treats.

The company says it will unveil its new Low Carb Double Chocolate bar next month after strong demand in the UK from Atkins dieters for the existing Low Carb KitKats and Rolos.

The launch of the slimming chocolate - which is part of the popular Double Crme range - puts paid to recent reports that Nestl had dumped its low-carb brands because of poor sales.

A Nestl spokeswoman said increased demand for the regular KitKat meant the company had temporarily stopped production of the low-carb version at Wigginton Road to cope with it.

Low Carb Double Chocolate, which will be made at the Wigginton Road factory, is the latest variation of popular Nestl confectionery products to hit the shops.

The Evening Press has reported the recent launch of the KitKat Caramac, a combination of the original chocolate snack and the Caramac bar, along with the introduction of other unusual flavours, including White Lemon & Yogurt, Luscious Lime and Christmas Pudding.

But dieters will have to pay the price for being thin and fork out £1.29 for one of the new Double Chocolate bars.

A Nestl spokeswoman said: "KitKat Low Carb has been withdrawn for the time being, but this is not due to sales, which have remained strong, but to increased demand on our regular KitKat lines requiring us to focus all of our production capabilities in this area.

"The demand for low-carb confectionery in the UK remains very strong.

"Consumers following a low-carb lifestyle are increasingly seeking more indulgent products and as a result, we are now launching a new low-carb version of our Nestl Double Chocolate bar later this month."

Nestl's chairman and chief executive officer of Nestl UK, Alastair Sykes, recently told the Evening Press that he believed the company could overtake Cadbury in the race to be the UK's top-selling chocolate maker.

He revealed that its 2004 quarterly share improved progressively from 16.3 per cent in the first quarter to 17.5 per cent in the fourth quarter, driven by six per cent year-on-year growth in consumer value sales of KitKat.

Updated: 10:00 Thursday, May 12, 2005