CUSTOMERS at a popular local chippy may have thought there was something fishy going on when they spotted the leader of Bolton Council behind the counter.

Cllr Martyn Cox visited Mother Hubbard’s on St Helens Road and found himself lending a hand to cook up the famous fish and chips the name is known for.

The shop opened in September with hour long queues forming on it’s first day.

During his visit, Cllr Cox donned his chef’s whites.

He said: “It was great to visit Mother Hubbard’s, a fantastic new business.

“I was invited to get involved and I was delighted to do so.”

Already in 20 other locations, Mother Hubbard’s was originally opened in 1972 in Bradford by Coronation Street stars Stan and Hilda Ogden, aka Jean Alexander and Bernard Youen.

The owner Siraj Patel developed a taste for the fish and chips served up by Mother Hubbard’s after visiting the Bradford shop with his family.

He actually trained his staff there too so taken was he with the food. Mr Patel said bringing the name to Bolton was something different for the town.