For ex-patriots across the globe, Shippam's paste is a taste of home.

But now the Japanese, a nation more famed for its love of raw seafood than its fondness for fish paste, may play a major part in the Chichester-based company's future with a takeover.

But sushi-lovers may be disappointed - the business is set to stay in its home town and unlikely to change too much.

For the batches of fish paste still being produced, there will be just one major difference.

The new owners will be focusing on sights further afield than schoolboys' packed lunches. They hope to ship 'em out to Japan as well.