Villagers can be forgiven for thinking something fishy's going on with their new mobile police station.

The £20,000 purpose-built station has recruited a new partner in its fight against crime - an equally mobile fish and chip shop.

Visitors to the new station will be able to talk assault and vinegar or discuss grievous cod-ily harm with police officers, or just pop in to ketchup with the news.

Peter and Jane Durnin's travelling fish and chip shop has been serving up cod and chips in Deddington, Bloxham, Middle Barton, Steeple Aston and neighbouring villages for the past six years.

The new fish and cop shop partnership was unveiled to the view of the public for the first time in Market Place, Deddington, on Friday morning.

Area beat officer Pc Bob Donohue said: "Both vehicles tour villages in north Oxfordshire.

"The fish and chip shop has been around for years.

"We are new and we want to get established, so when the mobile police station is in my area it seems a good idea to try to attract some of their regular customers," he added.

"They can visit us for a cup of tea and a chat before going next door for a takeaway."

Fish and chip shop owner Mr Durnin thought the police were pulling his leg when they suggested the idea.

He said: "When Pc Donohue suggested we join forces to build up his custom, I thought he was joking.

"But it does make sense and we'll be popping into the mobile police station as well."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.