Chocolate bribe for Becks

Despite bearing the brunt of recession, British storekeepers in Los Angeles seem set to do anything to ensure that football ace David Beckham does not quit the city due to the rocketing prices of his favourite British food items.

One of them has even offered to facilitate unlimited supply of Beckham’s favourite choc bar, Cadbury’s Curly Wurlys, at pre-recession prices if the sports star returns to play for LA Galaxy. It may be significant to note here that US President Barack Obama has ordered higher tariffs on foods imported into America, due to which British goodies will become dearer.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to increase duty on all imported foods by an average of 30 to 50 per cent. Beckham is presently on loan to Italian giants AC Milan, and seems unlikely to return for a while. British storekeepers desperately want to make it certain that the former England captain does not stay away from Los Angeles because of higher Curly Wurly prices.

“David is welcome to limitless Curly Wurlys at pre-credit crunch prices,” the Daily Star quoted Lorraine Williams, who runs the Friar Tuck shop and next-door Robin Hood pub in Sherman Oaks, as saying. “He and Victoria are also welcome to a slap-up fish and chip dinner with mushy peas at our pub. We’re worried about having to pass on higher prices. I hope people will still come in for treats from home,” added Lorraine, who is originally from Bournemouth.