CUSTOMERS can have microchips with their fish at one of Blackburn's best-known cafes.

Fish and 'chips' on cafe's menu

CUSTOMERS can have microchips with their fish at one of Blackburn's best-known cafes.

The Hake Boat chippy, in Railway Road, has been serving the people of the town since

But the founders of the shop would never have expected the latest item on the menu - wire-less internet access, or WiFi.

Now hungry locals can pop in with their laptop computers and connect to the internet from the Sunrise Cafe upstairs, and surf the net while enjoying their chips.

Manager Tanner Temel, 34, has even created an internet site especially for the shop, showing its opening times and menu.

Mr Temel, who is Turkish and lives in Bolton, said: "Until recently we have only used the ground floor and I thought, as we were paying for three floors, we could use it to its poatential. So I have set up a few computers.

"I've not been expecting a rush. Most people nowadays have got broadband access in their homes, but I set up a few to see how it would go. If it picks up we could put in a variety of computers and different things.

"At the moment it's on its probation period, so to speak.

The cafe uses the WiFi system, or Wireless Fidelity, to allow computers in the cafe to connect to the internet without using any wires.

The system is generally used for laptops, and areas where the facility is available are known as 'hotspots.'

Recently, cities including Preston, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow have taken steps to create hotspots for the public, where laptop owners can pay a set fee and log on from areas including cafes through a special card containing an ariel which slots into the computer.

In East Lancashire, a number of pubs have set up hotspots, including the Duke of Wellington, in Blackburn Road, Great Harwood.

Martin Owen, licensee of the Wellington, encouraged other businesses to try it out.

He said: "We get the stock-taker coming in and using it. He comes in and does it using his laptop, and sends it to his computer. I would recommend it to others."

So far, Mr Temel admits business has been slow, with only a handful of people visiting in the three weeks the service has been available.

The shop's website is at www.hakeboat.com