Two large off-putting signs, "Sorry No Children" shout at you coming into this pub, a small old-fashioned boozer just beside the town's Royal Victoria Place shopping centre. I'm sure that many a bag-laden mum or dad has just fancied a sharpener on the way back from the Saturday trudge, but no - don't come in here, you're not welcome.

On a childless day, Q and I found ourselves bag-laden, thirsty and hungry and in the Prince of Wales. The pub feels that it has a reputation for supplying "local food" and the menu certainly reflects this, offering locally caught fish and daily changing specialities. I was heartened when the food-lady said to me that she had only "one shepherds pie left" (no microwaved out of the fridge then) and it turned out to be a mighty affair - a huge pie with an EU food mountain of vegetables, overdone the way that mother likes. My cod and chips was a similarly gigantic affair - fresh with what I think was a home made batter, a sea of peas and chips piled up, under and around it on a plate way too small with a salad at the side with, get this, slices of apple. I loved it and it was piping hot to boot. The staff here are particularly lovely - Coronation Street characters who keep it all jolly while dealing with a slightly dubious clientele. A great old-fashioned boozer with hearty nosh. M