The use of both a box and tin by Morrisons (three stars out of five) seemed wasteful, but the disappointing packaging was partly allayed by a decent eat.

Waitrose (four stars), the most expensive at 48p, took the same packaging approach but provided an excellent eating experience with firm, strongly flavoured sardines. Asda (two stars), by contrast, had good packaging but the fish had a slightly odd taste to it.

The Portuguese sardines from Sainsbury's (three stars) were a little soggy but boasted good flavour. But Tesco (four stars) had the best overall proposition, with an attractive, information-packed tin and two chunks of very good quality fish for only 42p.