Thousands of deep-fried Mars bars are being consumed in Scotland every week with more than one in five fish and chip shops selling them, an investigation reveals.

When it first emerged in 1995 that Europe's most unhealthy nation was covering the chocolate treat in batter then deep frying it, no-one could quite believe it.

But the novelty has never worn off as even today, it has emerged that the "delicacy", which is said to have originated in the North East fishing town of Stonehaven, is regularly being sold throughout Scotland.

Dr David Morrison, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at NHS Greater Glasgow, and Dr Mark Petticrew, Associate Director of the Medical Research Council Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, had never actually seen them for sale but after a mention on America's NBC Tonight Show by Jay Leno they set out to find if the deep fried Mars bar was myth or fact.

Their study involved telephoning nearly 500 chip shops across Scotland and asking them about selling deep fried Mars bars.

They found that more than one in five (22%) fish and chip shops throughout Scotland sell deep-fried Mars bars.

A further one in six (17%) used to sell them although they do not now.

Children are the main consumers of deep-fried Mars bars and one shop sold up to 200 a week.

Chip shops also reported that they have been asked to deep-fry Snickers, Creme eggs and pizza, yes pizza, amongst other things.

Some parts of Scotland have the highest incidence of heart disease, cancer and strokes, the worst teeth and the lowest life expectancy in the developed world.

Dr Morrison, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at NHS Greater Glasgow, said: "We live in Scotland but we'd never actually seen deep-fried Mars bars for sale.

"We thought they might be fictitious. But the Scottish diet is a major health issue and it's important to know what the facts are. We can now confirm that there is no doubt - the deep-fried Mars bar is not just an urban myth."

In 1995 it emerged that a chip shop in Stonehaven, The Haven, which has since closed, was selling the deep-fried chocolate bar.

Although never officially confirmed, it is believed it arose due to a bet between the shop's owner and his portly best friend.

Today the shop is now the Carron Fish and Chip Bar and is run by Calum Richardson.

He said: "It doesn't surprise me they have become so popular. They are not my cup of tea but some weeks we sell as many as 300. I suppose people like them because they are different. At first it was a novelty but not any more."

A deep fried Mars bar will set you back 70p at the Carron or £1.70 if served as a "supper", ie with chips. However, it is a hefty treat with over 400 calories per single portion and even more if washed down with a bottle of Irn Bru, a sugar laden Scottish favourite soda pop.

The doctors' study was published in a Christmas issue of the medical journal the Lancet and is entitled Deep and Crisp and Eaten: Scotland's Deep-Fried Mars Bar.

(Left) A deep fried, battered Mars Bar. Stonehaven is apparently where it all began, deep frying Mars Bars at least. This particular example is from the Carron Fish Bar, credited with the invention of this treat.

Many chip shops in Scotland will batter and deep fry just about any candy bar for you and even if you don't see one you fancy many will allow you to supply your own favourite chocolate bar, batter it, fry it and charge you a small fee for the service.

Deep fried Baby Ruth Anyone?

If you still aren't put off and want to try it for yourself check out our recipe here.