Five foot seven inches tall and just ten stone.

Chippy owner Christine Ward is a physical phenomenon. Even her husband Colin thinks she's amazing.

For the past 28 years, Christine, 54, has polished off at least one portion of fish and chips every working day.

And for the last 11 years, since she and Colin took over the fish shop in Oxenhope, near Keighley, she has been unable to resist the succulent fish and golden chips they conjure up.

The result is she can eat two portions a day - and often close business with a fish and mushy-peas butty.

Yet the mother-of-four remains the same weight as when she married 35 years ago - and can still get into dresses she bought in 1980.

She even has a completely normal cholesterol count. She said: "I love fried fish. I can eat two lots and on Fridays sometimes three. I like fish and chips but I also like a fish and pea butty - they're lovely.

"I don't like fish in sauce, steamed or in a pie with potatoes. It has to be in batter.

"I don't each much meat and when I go out I prefer haddock, scampi or prawns," said Christine.

She persuaded Colin to buy Oxenhope Fisheries in Main Street - once the village blackmith's - after visiting a fortune teller in Bradford. They were told they would make a success of their own business. And now, when the couple go out for an evening, they try other fish and chips. "We dissect it - Colin looks at the batter and we discuss the quality," said Christine.

"Fish and chips are not as fattening as people think. It's a good, nutritious meal - I'm proof of that," said Christine, who is also convinced her hard work keeps her fit.

"We work hard and it's a long day so I burn up a lot of energy," said the mum who is also a lover of cheese sandwiches and Mars bars.

Colin, 55, a van driver before becoming a fish fryer, said: "I think she is an exception. I like fish and chips but I don't eat a lot - I've been with them all day and prefer chicken."

The couple took the plunge into the fish and chip business after Christine's many years with Eric Wilson, who runs a chippy in Lawkholme Lane, Keighley.

"He gave us a lot of help," said Colin, adding: "Worrying about taking the plunge, I lost over a stone."

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