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ATISFIED customers have been writing to the BEN claiming their chip shop is the best . . .

And it's all after Peter Saunders of Crompton Way, Bolton, set the fat flying by saying The Chippy in Thicketford Road served the best fish and chips.

He wrote: "The chips are superb. The fish is cooked (he cooks them in a splendid fat) and the staff are very friendly."

Fighting talk for fish and chip connoisseurs throughout Bolton.

But he was strongly supported by Mrs A Bannister of Thicketford Road, Bolton, who told the BEN: "Having used the chip shop for the past seven years, I can find no room for complaint. It's certainly the Best Chippy in Bolton."

However, Alfred Hales, of Booth Road, Little Lever, was having none of it.

He nominated the Village Chippy on Market Street.

"Everything is first class and it will take some beating," he wrote.

Swift to take up the challenge was Gordon Davenport, of Birchgate Walk, Bolton.

His top chip shop is Pauline and Joan's on Lever Street.

"The chips are out of this world, as are the puddings and fish," he enthused.

And how about this for service? "The staff are perfect in every way. And when my car was off the road, Joan, one of the owners, took me with my sister and brother, and my dinner, to my sister's house in her own car. We are all old-aged pensioners."

"Beat that," is his final challenge.

Forward Gerry and Hilary Higham, of Beaumont Road, Horwich, who nominated two chip shops.

The couple have daytime and night-time favourites.

"We have an excellent shop called the Cygnet on Winter Hey Lane, but they don't open at night," they wrote.

So when they feel peckish around 10 pm they head for the Quality Fish Bar on Chorley Old Road, Doffcocker, taking basins, forks and a tea towel.

"We then get into the car and drive halfway back to Horwich and stop on the tops on Chorley Old Road. The view is brilliant and we eat our supper looking at the night sky."

As the Highams said: "Sheer bliss".

Clearly there are strong contenders for the title of Chippy Champion. But can they all be battered into submission? If you think your chippy is the best in Bolton write to: Angela Kelly, Champion Chippy, Bolton Evening News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton. BL1 1DE.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.