Vincent Duffy's new book is inspired by three things - his love of fish and chips, pubs and Yorkshire.

The chartered surveyor, of Priory Way, Battyeford, Mirfield, firmly believes if a pub serves an excellent portion of the Tyke's favourite dish the rest of the menu will be the same.

To test his theory he visited 65 pubs across Yorkshire over 11 months which were recommended by the landlord at his local. He was often accompanied by his wife Denise, 47 and their two daughters Louise, 14 and Julie, 12.

The results are a paperback called Duffy's 41: The Best Pub Fish and Chips in Yorkshire. The number equates to the number of symphonies written by Mozart.

Among the pubs included are: Ring O'Bells and Rock and Heifer in Thornton; Old Dolphin, Bradford; Greyhound, Tong; Gray Ox, Hartshead; Old White Lion, Haworth; Riverside Hotel, Ilkley; Black Horse Hotel, Skipton; Elm Tree, Embsay; White Hart, Pool; Old Hall, Heckmondwike; Thirsty Man, Mirfield; Black Bull, Birstall; Black Horse, Clifton; Old White Bear, Norwood Green; and the Railway, Calverley.

Vincent, 48, who was born in Scotland but has spent most of his life in Yorkshire, said: "I targeted pubs in principal connurbations like Bradford which could be a lunchtime venue for residents and office workers.

"And pubs in rural areas such as the Dales, North York Moors and the East Coast which could be part of a family day out.

"A catalyst for the work was my intense dislike of fast food, burgers bars and anonymous plastic takeaways.''

In the book each pub is given Vince's own star rating of one, two or three based on the quality of the food, price and the ambience.

One is for pubs frequently giving value for money at a reasonable price, two for excellent food virtually faultless and three for the creme de la creme - only three make this grade.

Vincent concludes in the book that he was disheartened by the standard of fish and chips in the Dales.

"There seems to be an element of complacency that the beautiful scenery will always attract a captive audience.''

Other things which irked him include tartare sauce in sachets instead of in a dish with a spoon. And there is also a retort to those who might argue fish and chips are unhealthy.

Vincent says: "If you feel diet conscious ask for new potatoes and a salad instead of chips and peas. I feel strongly that the nutritional benefits of fish and chips are only too often overlooked.''

The book, priced £4.50 and published by Amadeus Publications is available from Waterstone's in Bradford and Mirfield Library.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.