A chef has set up a new mashed potato takeaway in Morecambe - believed to be the only one of its kind in the UK - in memory of his late father.
James Ashcroft has launched Mashcroft's, selling mashed potato-based dishes, in honour of his dad Keith who died in 2020.
Keith was a popular musician, teaching guitar at the town's Promenade Music shop and playing in bands locally including Twenty Four Seven, and was himself a big fan of mash.
One of the dishes on James' new menu is called 'Chicken a' la Keith' as a dedication to his father.
Mashcroft's opens this Sunday at the Trimpell Club in Morecambe with food available to eat in, delivery and takeaway.
LISTEN to our interview with James Ashcroft from Mashcroft's and Paul Hughes, steward at the Trimpell (pictured below)
"We have called it Mashcroft's as a bit of an ode mostly to my father," said James.
"We thought the Ashcroft name is only one letter short of being the perfect match...or perfect mash!
"It's good old-fashioned comfort good, it's very versatile, nice and simple to make and you can do so much with it.
"From what we can see, we're not sure that anyone has been brave enough or smart enough to launch a mashed potato takeaway yet. Time will tell whether it's lunacy or genius!"
Customers will be able to choose their mash from a range of flavours including classic butter, smoked cheese, mustard and thyme, and black pudding, and top their potato with either beef, bacon, sausages or the Chicken a' la Keith.
Keith Ashcroft is pictured below. Photo by Mike Jackson.
"It's supreme of chicken in a beautiful white wine and cream sauce," said James.
"Dad was a big fan of food and definitely mash potatoes.
"The Chicken a' la Keith we've done in his honour and it does say on the menu it's in memory of the late great Keith Ashcroft.
"Throughout our childhood my brothers and sisters and I were very fortunate in the sense that my dad was always very much pro-cook and that's been a massive inspiration in me becoming a chef and leading to this point as well.
"Anything we can do to keep his name alive is a no-brainer."
Like his dad, James also plays guitar and regularly accompanies his friend, Lancaster singer Paul Akister, at gigs across the local area.
Life belt rescue after hovercraft called out to person struggling in water in Morecambe
Appeal against refusal of 129 new homes thrown out due to 'national importance' of Torrisholme Barrow
All the road closures for Lancaster Grand Prix cycle races
Mini-beach forms as residents wait weeks for water leak repair
Morecambe 1940s Revival to bring vintage sights and sounds
Events announced for you to help shape vision for Lancaster District in 2040s
Family pays tribute to Lancaster man as police investigation continues one year on from his death
Call for 500 ‘citizen scientists’ to help complete pioneering hand identification research at Lancaster University
INTERVIEW: Morecambe Pride chief calls for support from whole community ahead of this year's event
Police appeal after man tries to steal pensioner's handbag outside Morecambe supermarket
Health secretary says new Lancaster hospital will be 'considered carefully'
UPDATE: Man dies after collision on the M6 between Lancaster and Preston
Lancaster MP defends voting against calls to scrap controversial two-child benefit cap
New Morecambe MP vows to keep promise to deliver Eden Project during maiden Commons speech
INTERVIEWS: Visitors to Morecambe meet our Eric on statue's 25th birthday
£2.5m of Eden Project Morecambe funding unlocked to ‘prepare site for activation’
New Latin American bar and restaurant coming to Lancaster city centre
Children open new state-of-the-art playground in Lancaster
INTERVIEW: Man who created Eric Morecambe Statue celebrates its 25th anniversary
Closed-down village pub near Lancaster could be converted into apartments
