SOMETHING fishy is going on at a popular pub in a Ribble Valley village.

The Black Bull, Ribchester, has become a hotbed of rivalry - over the lowly cod.

Landlord Bruce Honeyman has been serving fish and chips at the pub as a Friday special since acquiring the premises last October.

The proud Yorkshireman boasts that he uses only fish caught fresh in Whitby each morning.

But customer Peter Knowles threw down the fishing rod after declaring cod from Fleetwood the best in the country.

Bruce said: "War was declared. The challenge was that we had to travel to our respective towns and catch a cod.

"We had to bring it back to Ribchester to serve up to locals, who would make the final decision." Villagers waited, forks poised, as the fish were ceremoniously despatched to the Black Bull kitchen to emerge battered, but triumphant, from the deep fat fryer.

Bruce said the Fleetwood cod was a narrow winner, but is calling for a re-match after alleging fishy business.

"I caught my cod on the pier at Whitby, but the seas were very rough at Fleetwood, so where Peter caught his I just don't know," said the landlord.

"As far as I am concerned, until we have an overwhelming and undisputed winner, the cod war continues!"

Regulars held a fun evening at the pub after the big taste test and raised £100 towards a Christmas party for village children.

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