BINGO caller Alan Potter has BEAN adding a unique flavour to the number 57.

Alan, of Nigel Grove, York, decided to spice up the weekly bingo nights at Holgate WMC after being inspired by the "57 Varieties" label on Heinz baked beans tins. Alan, 43, who works as a chef at the University of York, calls out a different Heinz tinned food variety every time the number comes up.

His favourites have included: "Tomato soup with Thomas the Tank Engine pasta shapes - number 57"; "Mackerel fillets in curry sauce - number 57"; and "Baby clams in brine - number 57".

Club president Alan said: "I contacted Heinz and asked them to send me a list of all their different varieties."

"There are now more than 600 so I've got a long way to go before I get through them all.

"It's nice to do something a little bit different - I'm surprised no other bingo callers have thought of doing it." Alan, who has been a club member since 1976, said bingo regulars at the club make wagers with each other about which variety will be called.

"They very rarely get it right," he added, "I'm sure some of them turn up just to hear which tin will be called. It's really good fun."

Alan's other intriguing bingo calls include: "Evening all - number 49", inspired by 1950s radio and comic character PC 49; "Man alive - number five"; and "Garden gate - number eight".

"My calls always raise a few smiles but really embarrass my wife!" he added.

Alan hosts the bingo on Sunday afternoons and evenings.

Updated: 11:27 Tuesday, February 19, 2002