Let’s talk chips. It makes a change from the weather, and what could be more comforting on a wet and windy evening than chips for tea.

This is National Chip Week and also half-term holidays week and our local chippies are gearing up for a busy time.

Many of our local chip shops boast awards for their quality and hygiene.

Caviar Plaice has recently added the Fish and Chip Quality award to its array of certificates and, of course, Alf’s Chip Shop is the proud holder of a national Fish and Chips Award.

Alf’s has also won one of the British Potato Board’s regional awards and is officially the South West’s top chippy, Some local establishments dare to be a bit different and if you have a sweet tooth, try Bennett’s ‘battered Crème Eggs’.

They are running a half term special offer of ‘buy one get one free’ on the sweets treats, which is sure to please the children and parents alike.

Check out the offers being advertised on this page to help you enjoy National Chip Week even more.

To tantalise your taste buds, here are some interesting facts about the nation’s favourite food.

STATISTICS

  • More than 1.6 million tonnes of potatoes are made into chips every year in the UK – weighing the same as over 14,000 blue whales or 4,000 jumbo jets.
  • The land required to grow potatoes for chips is 33,664 hectares – big enough to fit London’s Hyde Park 237 times, or 47,000 Wembley football pitches.
  • Over 250 million fish and chip meals are sold in the UK each year.
  • In one year we eat nearly three billion meals containing chips, with dinnertime the most popular time to eat them (64%) and tea time the second favourite (24%).
  • Brits use at least 26 different words for fish and chips.
  • Using the right spuds for chips can make all the difference – to ensure your chips are lovely and fluffy try King Edward or Maris Piper.