Giro d'Italia: Chip shop gives cod a touch of colour

A chip shop in County Antrim is capturing the pink theme of the Giro d'Italia cycle race by changing the colour of its fish.

The Hip Chip in Bushmills is using food dye to colour-code its cod.

The owner of the fast-food takeaway, Geoffrey McKillop, said: "We thought with the Giro d'Italia coming through Bushmills later this year, and the theme of the race being its pink jersey, we would try to get into the spirit of it."

He added: "As well as decorating the buildings in the village, we'll be providing pink food, especially some traditional fish and chips."

A number of taxis have already turned pink, the colour of the Giro

A number of taxis have already turned pink, with schools, pubs and spectators all being urged to embrace the bright colour theme.

The Giro is expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors to Northern Ireland when three race stages are held from 9-11 May.

Most of the top 200 cyclists in the world are expected to take part.

The various stages will take in Belfast, the north Antrim coast and Armagh.

The three-week long Giro is staged primarily in Italy, but since 1996, the Grande Partenza (big start) has been hosted outside the country, most recently in Denmark.

It is the world's second-largest cycle race and last year's Giro was broadcast in 165 countries, with an estimated global audience of 775m people.

The three stages which start in Northern Ireland are:

• Friday 9 May - Team time trial from Belfast city centre to Stormont and back

• Saturday 10 May - Belfast to Causeway Coast and back

• Sunday 11 May - Armagh to Dublin

Three stages of the Giro d'Italia will be held in Northern Ireland in May