HUNKS HELP FOTTIE WIVES

WORLD Cup widows need grieve no longer. While their partners are glued to the screen they can take advantage of the services of a hunky shopping partner at a local supermarket.

Asda, at Cressex, High Wycombe, is planning to recruit hunky shopping partners who will be available to help women with their groceries when the big matches are being screened.

The hunks will be available to escort women through the store, be at their beck and call at all times, push their trolley, collect forgotten items from the aisles and carry their bags to the car.

Store manager Mike Legg said he thinks the national promotion is a good way for women to get even with their partners after being abandoned for a football match.

He said: "We haven't finalised the details yet but all our customers have a good sense of humour and I can see it being quite a laugh."

Gwyn Burr, Asda's customer service director, said research has shown that even though more and more men are helping with the weekly shop, football will come first during June and July.

Gwyn said: "There are a sizeable number of women who do not share their partner's passion for the beautiful game and for those who miss some company around the store, Asda 'shoparones' (chaperones) could be just the answer."

Asda shopper Rosa Hamilton Smith, of Rose Avenue, Hazlemere, said: "I would not mind if a nice hunky man packed my bag.

"My husband will definitely be watching the World Cup but I can't understand why men get so excited about watching others kick a ball about.

"Mind you, I won't let my husband get away with not coming shopping and he will come with me on Friday night."

However, fellow shopper Suzanne Hester, from Marlow, said that having her bags packed by a hunk would not entice her to shop at the store.

Suzanne joked: "If he would come back with me and do my housework that would be different."

Potential hunks should contact store manager Mike Lake on (01494) 441611.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.