THE hunt is on for an unusual VIP to take pride of place at the re-opening of Britain’s oldest truck stop and transport cafe – the Lazy Trout at Marshbrook, two miles south of Church Stretton in Shropshire, on Tuesday, September 29.

The VIP – a Very Important Parrot – is needed to carry on the role of the once famous talkative bird ‘Skip’, which would confuse the chef by shouting out ‘egg and chips’ and other non-existent orders at the Lazy Trout, which has served generations of drivers travelling along the A49 since 1937.

“We would be very pleased to welcome a parrot or similar as our VIP for the day, and with his owner’s permission offer our feathered guest his choice of the menu. Hopefully he will have something to say,” said owner Jonathan Jay who, with his brother Adam, runs the nearby Green Dragon Inn at Little Stretton.

With traditional all-day breakfasts, roast chicken meals, fresh coffee and mugs of tea, the Lazy Trout will once again provide refreshment for transport drivers, families, bikers, coach parties and tourists – and continue its 68 years of roadside service.