Home of deep-fried Mars bar asked to remove advertising

A chip shop has been asked to remove a banner hailing it as the home of the deep-fried Mars bar.

The Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, advertises itself as the "birthplace of the world famous deep-fried Mars bar" with a large sign on the side of the shop.

The owners of the chippie say it attracts thousands of tourists from across the globe to try the dish every year but the local council wants the banner to come down as part of a plan to "improve the look" of Stonehaven.

The Carron owner Lorraine Watson said she was happy to put a disclaimer on the main menu but is refusing to remove the banner.

Lorraine told BBC Scotland: "Thousands and thousands of tourists come from all over the world to purchase the deep-fried Mars bar from the birthplace.

"They stand outside under the banner with their Mars bar, smiling from ear to ear, then go home and let all their friends and family see it.

"We have no idea why the council would want this banner taken down, bearing in mind it takes thousands of visitors to the town."

Aberdeenshire Council said it did not want to stop the owners promoting their business and that the council is "happy to have discussions" regarding the banner.

A spokesman said: "Together with a range of community organisations, we have been looking at ways to improve the look of Stonehaven for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.

"An action plan has been created in conjunction with the Stonehaven Town Partnership, Community Council, Stonehaven Business Association and the Horizon Group.

"As part of the action plan we have asked some owners in the area to consider making alterations to their properties. This included asking the owners of The Carron Fish Bar to consider removing their banner.

"We do not wish to prevent the owners from promoting their business and we would be happy to have discussions with them regarding the banner."

The deep-fried Mars bar has become synonymous with the negative stereotype of the unhealthy Scottish diet and is often mockingly referred to as one of the country's other national dishes, after haggis.

In 2012, Mars wrote to the owners of the chip shop seeking a disclaimer to distance itself from the recipe.

Mars said it was "against its commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles".