It was meant to be an ordinary tea-time for one man when he opened a newly-purchased bag of oven chips, but little did he know how much that tasty potato-based treat would change his life.
Alistair Coleman, 56 and living near Wokingham, has a day job that involves fact-checking fake news – and what he saw in his packet made him reach for a ruler so he could verify the truth for himself.
For inside the wrapper was the largest chip in the whole of the United Kingdom – well, maybe not as last year a chip was found that was 22cm. But the Guinness World Records says that there is no known record for the longest chip
Mr Coleman is a bit of an expert, for in his spare time he runs the hit Facebook page Angry People in Local Newspapers, which regularly features fantastical food as well as pictures of councillors pointing at pot holes.
It’s a far cry from his main role of tackling disinformation and fake news, and keeping an eye at North Korean media.
The extraordinarily long teatime treat that Mr Coleman found came from a £1.50 packet of Waitrose Essentials Crinkle Cut oven chips, bought from the Thatcham branch of the popular supermarket.
The chip, almost the length of a standard fork, was nearly too much for him to chew.
“I’ve never had a chip this big before,” said a surprised Mr Coleman. “although I once had a barbecue beef-flavoured Hula Hoop that was 5cm long, with a slight curve to it.
“What a red letter day that was.”
Thanks to Angry People In Local Newspapers, the journalist recognises that different parts of the country are very possessive about their freakishly giant foods.
“This massive chip is a direct attack on the York Press newspaper, who jealously guard their giant chip stories,” he said.
“I have put Wokingham first, and have challenged them to a duel.”
Sadly, Mr Coleman won’t be able to brandish anything other than a photo should the York Press accept his offer of chippy teas at dawn – he liked the chip so much, he ate it.
Have you had a longer chip? Email [email protected]
