IT was an early, fishy Halloween at an Eldene retirement home thanks to a chip shop owner and his singing friend.

Cod, chicken and pies were accompanied by wine at the bash at Eric Long Court war veterans' retirement home.

Kev Stevens, who owns Burley's Fish and Chips in Victoria Road, delivers a fish and chip supper for the Royal British Legion home at Eric Long Court every Thursday lunchtime.

But for Wednesday night's party he decided to lay on the cod and chips free and even persuaded his semi-professional singer friend, Kevin Gunning, who is playing at the Wood-shaw Inn in Wootton Bassett on Saturday, to perform unpaid.

The money saved around £70 will go towards a Christmas knees-up for the pensioners. Mr Stevens said the residential home had been a regular customer of his shop for more than a year and he was happy to help their celebrations go with a swing.

He said: "They're a nice bunch of people at the home. When they asked for a fish and chip supper for their party, I couldn't very well charge them could I?

"I wanted to help liven the party up a bit as well, so I called my friend, Kevin, whose stage name is The Quiet Man, and asked if he would perform a few songs for them and he agreed.

The night was organised by 79-year-old war veteran Patrick Skilton, the chairman of the residential home's social and housing association.