Award-winning chip shop owner inspired by young Calderdale writer

West Vale Fisheries owner, Mark Kosanovic, who has been providing food to care homes during the pandemic, offered Zoe Bedford, 10, a free meal for her whole family after hearing about how she has been shielding due to her sister's disability.

Mr Kosanovic heard about her story after she hit the headlines as a result of her 'royal exchange' with the Queen and Prince Philip during the Covid-19 lockdown.

"She’s an incredibly bright child so it’s great for her to get this recognition.

“We’ve stayed open during the pandemic, providing food to care homes, as well as the Covid Ward and those shielding across Halifax.

"We wanted to give her and her family something back, it’s lovely to hear some uplifting news in these difficult times.”

Her dad, Stefan Bedford said: "We had a lovely royal tea at West Vale yesterday.

"It was kind and appreciated by our whole family, we felt like royalty.

"Mark was a very caring and considerate owner and he told me he's given away 100 fish and chip portions during lockdown to care homes, ICU and Overgate Hospice.

"He gave Zoe a couple of writing sets and paid a lot of attention to her asking her questions about her writing."

“The royal exchange has been a good distraction for Zoe during lockdown because she has spent almost all of it self-isolating due to her vulnerable older sister Rebecca (21), who is disabled,” said Mr Bedford