A fish and chip restaurant’s co-owner is offering half price deals to a regional daily’s readers after losing a bet with its deputy sports editor.

Ian Stead is honouring a wager he made with Grimsby Telegraph journalist Matt Dannatt that Grimsby Town Football Club manager Paul Hurst would not leave his post.

Hurst was appointed manager of Shrewsbury Town on Monday, with the Telegraph breaking the news on its website.

Prior to that, Ian told Matt on Twitter he would offer 50pc off meals at Steel’s Cornerhouse, in Cleethorpes, if the move went ahead.

Former Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst, left, and Steel’s Cornerhouse co-owner Ian Stead

Telegraph readers can claim the offer between 6pm and 8.30pm this evening.

Matt told HTFP: “When I saw that the manager had gone, in an attempt to lighten the mood, I decided to send Steel’s a friendly reminder of their wager earlier in the week, but I really wasn’t expecting it to take off like this.

“Hats off to Ian for this fantastic offer – it really is a fantastic gesture and shows what a great fanbase Grimsby Town has.

“I know they’re in for an incredibly busy evening as I expect plenty of people to take up the offer. I just hope I don’t bankrupt what is, without doubt, the best chippy around.”

Ian said: “It was just a bit of fun on Twitter. I thought let’s have a party and get some fun out of it.”

He added: “”(Hurst’s departure) came as a total surprise – it doesn’t make sense. But it’s a good time for the club and it will be quite exciting to see who comes in.”