CUSTOMERS at Tubby Wadlow's Wine Bar on The Grove were treated to a rare treat last weekend after front of house manager Robin Williams made a 200-mile, five-hour round trip to the Lake District in search of a rare delicacy.

He returned with a giant puff ball mushroom, which is a rare as a truffle, and just as appreciated by discerning gourmets.

Mr Williams said that the puff ball season has just started, prompting him to make a hopeful foray to a secret site where they grow. "We have to pick them on the day they grow or they go off, but they are extremely rare," said Mr Williams.

The mushrooms have the texture of chicken and are served sliced and fried in bacon fat, or coated in egg white and breadcrumbs.

The price can range between £5 and £10 for just a few slices as a starter.

Mr Williams said that he would be making return journeys to the Lake District site to see if any more had sprung up overnight.

In a period of only a few hours the mushroom can grow from as small as a pinhead to the size of a rugby ball, before starting to deteriorate.

l Last week's Gazette report about Tubby Wadlow's successful application for planning permission to stay open later stated that other restaurants in the area were allowed to remain open until 1.30am.

Ilkley's police inspector, Alison Bennett, has asked us to point out that the other restaurants on The Grove have to conform to licensing laws governing what is termed a 'Supper Hour' extension.

This allows alcohol to be served until midnight only and then customers can take an extra half-hour to consume it.

Insp Bennett pointed out that although Tubby Wadlow's had received planning permission from Bradford Council to stay open later, an application to the licensing justices had still to me made.

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