A CUMBRIAN fish company is to hand-deliver potted shrimp to King Charles after his order was lost by his own postal service.

The Royal Family are longstanding customers of the family business Furness Fish, Poultry and Game, home of the world-famous Morecambe Bay Potted Shrimps.

The order was needed for a special family occasion at Balmoral Castle - the Scottish home of the Royal Family. Disaster struck however when the 3ft x 3ft parcel was lost by the Royal Mail. 

Clare Worrall, owner and manager of Flookburgh-based Furness Fish, Poultry and Game, said: "When the King’s kitchens at Balmoral contacted us to say they hadn’t received their Royal Mail Special Delivery of our Morecambe Bay Potted Shrimps, my heart absolutely sank.

"We were all in shock and amazement that a chilled parcel for such a prestigious address and recipient could get lost.

"All hands are already 'on deck' here preparing our shrimps for Cartmel Races this weekend so I had to think on my feet. We cordoned off a whole area of the kitchen and myself and my brilliant team here meticulously re-cooked and potted the King and Queen's order from scratch. But, how do we still deliver on time? Enter Mum and Dad."

The Mail: An example of the shrimp made by Furness Fish, Poultry and Game

The delicacy was particularly enjoyed by the late Queen Elizabeth II, with King Charles now carrying on the tradition. 

CEO Claire’s parents Jean and Geoff Worrall,offered to take the very special order of shrimps for the King’s planned family entertainment this week to Balmoral which is to be handed to him directly.

The pair, who are in their seventies, were very excited and nervous to make the 300-mile drive to the Royal kitchen.

Geoff said: "You’d like to think lightning wouldn’t strike twice, but we couldn’t risk sending such an important order of shrimps the same way. Clare and her team take their good service very seriously; every customer is given the Royal treatment.

"It’s ironic it’s the King’s own postal service that lost the original consignment - we’d like to think King Charle’s has seen the funny side. The only solution was for Jean and I to drive it to Balmoral ourselves today and hand it over in person, so we shall see.

"It’s a very important and very large package measuring at least 3ft x 3ft - that’s a lot of Morecambe Bay Potted Shrimps."

The Mail: Furness Grill and Kitchen - home of the world famous Morecambe Bay Potted Shrimps

Jean said: "We are very, very honoured to be making this very special journey. Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal family are longstanding customers, but never before have we personally delivered shrimps into the actual hands of a reigning monarch."

And should Jean and Geoff be greeted by King Charles and Queen Camilla themselves and offered refreshments?

Jean Worrall added: "Geoff’s put his best suit on just in case, and never says ’no’ to a good cup of tea."