MELANOGRAMMUS Aeglefinus and chips twice, please.

It is not an order that trips off the tongue particularly easily on a Friday evening.

But it is a request fast food fans could find themselves using instead of asking for haddock and chips if a new European Union idea is adopted in Bolton in the New Year.

Under the EU recommendation, fish retailers have the option of re-labelling their goods using their full scientific names derived from ancient Latin.

A tuna mayonnaise sandwich could become known as a Katsuwonus Pelamis and smoked mackerel as Scomber Japonicus.

So, to mark National Seafish Day, the confusing tongue-twisters were put to the test at a Bolton supermarket.

Shoppers at Bolton's Morrisons in Blackhorse Street were asked to guess the Latin counterparts for a host of popular fish.

A hamper of fresh seafood was up for grabs to raise funds for the Fisherman's Mission, a charity supporting wives and children of fishermen lost at sea. And customers could not help but laugh as they struggled to Name That Fish!

Margaret Corkhill, aged 55, of Halliwell, said: "I am a big fish eater. I love my fish, indeed anything from the sea, but I cannot see this directive catching on.

"What is wrong with plain old halibut and cod? The names are very hard to say and I cannot see anyone using them. It is hard enough with cheese!"

And Marilyne Waldron, of Bolton, added: "I eat fish two or three times a week but I do not think this will ever work or catch on with Lancashire folk. The names are just to hard to pronounce properly."

Morrisons made a donation from all sales at its fish counters and at every fish and chip meal sold in its cafes.