SUGAR sticks are being used to gauge how customers are going to vote in the EU referendum by a Barrow cafe.

The Last Resort prides itself on being topical – plus a favourite place for JK Rowling to grab a coffee – and is often decorated for different occasions.

Owner of the Cavendish Street shop, Mike Stephenson, said: "We usually avoid discussing politics in the shop.

"This year however has been different and the impending referendum has been the main subject of conversation with many of our customers for quite a few weeks now.

"There seems to be a fairly even split between both camps but the out voters seem a little more outspoken in airing their views.

"However many customers seem undecided due to the lack of reliable information being offered up by both sides.

"I myself am sitting on the fence and trying to remain neutral for the time being.

"We thought it would be fun to do a mini referendum in the shop as a straw poll and to stimulate further good humoured debate on the subject.

"Everyone seems to enjoying it so far and we will announce the results next Wednesday in advance of the real referendum on June 23.

"Hopefully after that normality will resume."

The Last Resort was featured in the Harry Potter author's crime caper last year.

Writing under her pseudonym Robert Galbraith, JK's novel, Career of Evil , is to be serialised by the BBC and could see filming in the town.

The book mentioned Ulverston as the “birthplace of Stan Laurel” and describes its lead characters, private detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin, passing Craven Park, the home of Barrow Raiders.

They head to Cavendish Street, where they eat in the cafe.

The book also references the Crows Nest pub, Olympic takeaway, Barrow Grammar School for Boys and BAE Systems.