He has lived in London for more than 20 years and says there is no comparison between what is served up there and what he gets here. For a start they offer as much cod as haddock. Nice fish but sadly lacking in the taste department. Plaice is also a favourite down there, but it invariably comes with the skin still on, which is off-putting to say the least.

So along with his wife and children, we descended on Blakeley's in Brighouse, a comparatively new restaurant at the side of the market to see if what they could offer would live up to his expectations.

The restaurant which opened around four years ago, is run by the family of the same name, Gary Blakeley, his wife Margaret and their son Andrew. They also own the coffee shop in Thornton Square, where they began their fish and chip business trading as the Dolphin around 20 years ago.

So much these days is written about the cost of fish, which has rocketed thanks to a disastrous inland fishing policy that has allowed British stocks to be plundered by foreign fleets. Fish and chips, likewise have risen pro-rata to prices like never before.

However, when compared to a sit-down meal in a restaurant, dining out on fish and chips, is cheap. Rarely are you short-changed on portions, and, as I can vouch, at Blakeley's there is a wider choice than just your average haddock, chips and peas.

How many fish and chip restaurants, for instance, serve sea bream or for the more health conscious, steamed salmon?

We were not there to watch our waistlines however and ordered the full monty. My brother went one step further and had the haddock special, a leviathon among fish that hung over the sides of his plate.

There were smaller portions for the kids and enough tomato sauce to make sure some at least made it to their plates.

Top notch batter, a pot of peas and a raft of chips made for a hearty nosh. I went for a glass of lager, which is not the best pairing, and spent the rest of the meal wishing I'd been sensible and ordered a pot of tea.

Blakeley's has friendly staff with a sense of humour. Which is a good job when faced with a six-year-old in a Dalek tee-shirt emblazoned with the word exterminate, and who suddenly decides to start juggling his cup and saucer. No breakages thankfully, but a huge sigh of relief.

A dessert was a bridge too far, but my wife convinced me to share a treacle sponge. I do not think I have had one of these since I was at school and it brought back warm memories of dinnertimes at Hipperholme Grammar. It tasted great and so did the custard. My brother polished off one on his own. The kids went for ice cream, though one of the sundaes was over-frozen and met with a grimace.

Despite that small blip Blakeley's is a smashing place to take kids and deserves to be as popular as it obviously is.

And it got top marks from the London faction.

Our bill came to around £60 for six, which is pretty good by any standards.

Ratings
Name: Blakeley's Fish & Chip Restaurant.

Address: 1, Canal Street, Brighouse.

Telephone: 01484 713907.

Atmosphere 3/5
Food 4/5
Service 4/5
Value 5/5