AN East Lancashire fish and chip shop manager who serves up portions in New York City is leading a major campaign to create a little part of Britain stateside.

Matt Arnfield, originally from Billington, in the Ribble Valley, wants part of Manhattan's Greenwich Avenue to be renamed "Little Britain".

The campaign has received £250,000 backing from Virgin entrepreneur Richard Branson.

And a host of celebrities have lent their support including singer Joss Stone, Austin Powers actor Mike Myers, designer Sir Paul Smith, London-born OC actress Mischa Barton and comedian Billy Connolly.

Mr Arnfield, 34, moved to the Big Apple in 2001 and is manager at A Salt and Battery. He is married to Claire.

He said: "There is a Little Italy and a Little Brazil so we think it would be great to have a Little Britain in New York.

"There are a lot of British businesses in this area and ex-pats feel homesick, so to rename it would be ideal."

Actor Ray Gardner, famous for his appearance in a television commercial for soft drink Tango, can be seen backing the campaign in its official online video.

Mr Arnfield, whose father ran a chippy in Milton Street, Clayton-le-Moors, said New York resident Mike Myers came to lend his support through regular stops at the restaurant.

He added: "Kiefer Sutherland was in here the other day. He comes here often so hopefully he will be involved.

Soul singer Joss Stone said: "Britain deserves its own 'little' version. Britain is a wicked place full of culture and great people. You won't find a proper English pub or chippy anywhere but England. Even a proper cup of tea is difficult.

"So why not bring a Little Britain to New York and other cities?

"We can all blend and become one, then the world will be a happier place in the great scheme of things."

She added: "I'm English; it would be wrong if I wasn't backing the campaign."

Although Mr Arnfield said he was keen to create a home from home' there were advantages to living in the US.

He said: "It is so expensive to come back with the exchange rate, it is cheaper to fly my family over here.

"And I can watch more Blackburn Rovers games on the TV here than I could when I was in England!"