A FOREST man who got a taste for chips while at Wyedean School 30 years ago has bought the local chippy.

Steve Watkins, from Woolaston, was a regular customer at the Good Frydays fish and chip shop in Sedbury while he was at school, and longed to eventually run his own.

But after taking voluntary redundancy at his former job, the 47-year-old decided it was time to make his 'chippy' dream a reality. He said: "It has been a lifetime ambition of mine to become the owner of a fish and chip shop. I like the idea of working with the public. Good Frydays is a true 'community chippy' and I am very enthusiastic about maintaining that.

"I took the shop on in September after spending several months researching suitable businesses and learning about the trade. It was the local reputation of Good Frydays that convinced me it would be a good buy."

Steve will manage the shop and do the cooking alongside his team including Lynda Hanson, who has a wealth of experience working in the fish and chip shop industry.

"I've always thought Good Frydays is a great little chippy so I'm really pleased to be here."