Launderette that caters for soap stars marks ten years

Elaine Fish, who owns Bubbles Launderette in Farsley, Leeds has spent a decade washing and ironing clothes for celebrities in Leeds.

Mrs Fish, 55, from Farsley, has seen her whites dazzle in programmes such as Heartbeat, Emmerdale and The Royal.

"I used to wash dust sheets and bed linen for programmes such as Heartbeat and The Royal. I guess it just made me want to watch the programmes just in case there was anything on that I had washed and ironed.

"I just love working in the launderette. You get to meet people, but I don't wear a cardigan like Dot Branning in EastEnders."

Over the years she has cleaned personal items of clothing for some of the cast members of Emmerdale including Chris Chittell, who plays loveable rogue Eric Pollard.

She has also washed and ironed for Heartbeat regulars including Derek Fowlds who was best known as Oscar Blaketon.

To celebrate the shop's 10th birthday customers were given some extra special treats and now Mrs Fish and her husband Mick hope they will be in business in another 10 years.

"I probably wouldn't get to see so many people in the village if I didn't have the launderette," she said.

"You just feel like you are doing something in part of the community that you know and have lived in all your life.

"The launderette could have been a white elephant but it has gone from strength to strength.

"The customers that come in are our bread and butter and keep you going.

"I'm thinking that I can see another 10 years here now."

Asked who has the grubbiest clothes, she said: "I think they are all quite well behaved actually."