Punters queued up in their droves for hot cross buns and a fish and chip lunch as the UK celebrated the start of the Easter weekend.
A massive queue formed outside Raven’s bakery in Brighton early this morning as people sought to get their hands on their legendary hot cross buns.
It has become a tradition in the city to wake up early to buy the sweet Easter treat every Good Friday.
One person posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘It’s a Brighton Easter tradition to queue for Raven’s hot cross buns.
‘Thought I’d enjoy it one last time, they are definitely worth the wait. (Please note: the line is so long the bakery is out of sight).’
Hundreds of customers queue to buy hot cross buns from Raven’s Bakery in Brighton early this Good Friday morning
The hot cross buns from Raven’s Bakery have become famous and customers from all over Sussex and beyond get there early to buy them every Good Friday
People also joined a long line at the famous Colmans fish and chip shop in South Shields to get a traditional Good Friday lunch.
Matt Farrow, 42, travelled 250 miles, all the way from Reading to try their fish and chips.
The council worker said: ‘My partner’s grandad is from South Shields. We come up here a couple times a year and try to come up to Colmans.
‘It’s a family tradition. It’s the best fish and chips.
‘We ordered four adult haddocks, two chips, one curry sauce, three tartare sauces, three mushy peas and four kids meals.
‘There’s four generations ordering from here today. We’ll still be coming here for years.’
Shaun Taylor, 55, from Chester-Le-Street, County Durham paid £27 for two cod and chips, two cans of fizzy drinks and mushy peas.
The civil servant said: ‘We always come here, it’s the best fish and chips.
‘I’ve been coming here for years. It’s a tradition, I used to come here with my mam and dad who have passed away.
‘We brought our kids here and they now bring their kids. It’s very nostalgic.
‘We queued for 30 minutes, we got here at 11:30 and got our fish and chips at 12.’
Famous guests such as former US First Lady Hillary Clinton have previously dined at the chippy on Ocean Road.
Joy Simpson, 64, a retired residential care officer from Hetton- Le-Hole, Sunderland, said: ‘We’re on a girls trip and decided to come here for fish and chips.
‘I always have fish and chips on Good Friday. Even if we’re at home we go to the local fish shop. You have fish on Good Friday.
‘I thought the queue would have been bigger, we were going to go shopping first but decided we better get a spot.’
People joined a long line at the famous Colmans fish and chip shop in South Shields to get a traditional Good Friday lunch
Matt Farrow, 42, travelled 250 miles, all the way from Reading to try their fish and chips
Famous guests such as former US First Lady Hillary Clinton have previously dined at the chippy on Ocean Road
Tracey Peat, 57, an administrator from South Shields, South Tyneside, said: ‘I come here every year for fish and chips. I usually wait for an hour or an hour and a half.
‘It’s the best fish and chips, we love it. I’m queuing for my whole family.
‘The order will probably cost around £90 but it’s money well spent. We always look forward to Good Friday.
‘But it’s a treat and it’s worth it. It’s a tradition inherited from my mam.
‘The queue always has a nice atmosphere.’
Katie Lee, 31, a call centre worker from Gateshead, said: ‘I travel over from Gateshead pretty much every year. When it’s good weather we’ll travel down.
‘It wasn’t an option today. It’s Good Friday so you come to Colman’s.
‘I buy for myself, my husband and my two children.
‘It is quite expensive. Last week we went to the seafront and it was £10.50 for fish and chips.
‘It’s a treat and it’s a special occasion.’