WITH the weather turning warmer and the car windows open on the drive home from work, it was only a matter of time.

I caught a whiff of fish and chips on the summer breeze and all plans for a home-cooked dinner went, literally, out of the window.

Castle Parade Fish & Chips was the place of choice – choice being the operative word as the eaterie has one of the most extensive menus I’ve ever seen at a take-away.

Aside from the usual fish – cod, haddock, plaice, scampi etc – there was a selection of burgers, beef, chicken and veggie, as well as a range of pies and even Chinese and Indian themed choices such as spring rolls and samosas.

Not to mention, of course, the obligatory extras such as curry sauce and mushy peas.

My husband opted for a large cod and chips with curry sauce while I initially chose fish cakes. Disappointed to find they weren’t on the menu that evening – which did make me wonder what else on the large selection was unavailable – I instead plumped for a jumbo sausage tempting me from the hot plate.

The fish was freshly, but quickly, cooked and was still hot enough to eat by the time we’d made the short car journey home.

My sausage one of the tastiest I’ve had from a chippy and the chips – which spilled over the edge of the plate, despite being a “small” portion – had a real home-cooked flavour and were neither too soggy nor to crispy.

My husband’s fish was also overhanging the plate and was cooked to perfection, with the batter just the right consistency. The curry sauce was pronounced “goooood!”

Very satisfactory indeed!

Our meal came to a total of £8.40.