DELIVERING a takeaway has taken on a new meaning for North-East fish and chip shop chain Bimbis.

Former Durham detective Aiden Mooney recently contacted the company, requesting that it send an order to his mansion in Texas, US.

Despite lavish surroundings, the 39-year-old businessman is longing for a traditional North-East meal of fish and chips.

And not just any old battered cod would do - it had to be a plate of Bimbis' best.

Tony Bimbi, who, with father James and uncle Albert, runs the Durham City-based chip shops, said yesterday that a portion of their finest would be winging its way West.

"I was checking my e-mails when I saw the message from Aidan. I couldn't believe my eyes," said Mr Bimbi.

"We often get orders on the net, but this one was from Austin, in Texas."

The former Durham policeman, who also spent 13 years as a Scotland Yard detective, said he settled in Texas when his research scientist wife, Justine, was posted there.

Shortly after arriving in the US, Mr Mooney started a firm restoring E-type jaguar cars.

The business blossomed and Justine left her firm to join him in what has become the largest enterprise of its kind in the country.

But he told Mr Bimbi: "Of all the things I left behind in England, the thing I miss the most is Bimbis' fish and chips.''

The award-winning company is blast-freezing a portion of fresh cod and chips to ensure its order remains in tip-top condition.

"We have the technology to preserve our product. Now, we are pulling out all the stops to find a means of transporting them across the Atlantic. We don't want Aidan's suffering to continue,'' said Mr Bimbi.

As Mr Mooney waits for his nostalgic nosh, The Northern Echo is sending some copies of this edition to wrap up his long-anticipated meal, to add the final touch of authenticity.

"As we sit around the pool eating Bimbis' fish and chips on the pages of The Northern Echo, my life will be complete,'' said Mr Mooney.