Frydays of Kendal has been named in the top six fish and chip shops in the North West.

The New Road chippie has been shortlisted in the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award - part of the National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

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It is now ranked in the top 60 fish and chip shops in the United Kingdom.

Widely recognised as the ‘Oscars’ of the fish and chip industry, shortlisted fish and chip shops represent the best in the business and will now compete to become the number one fish and chip shop in the UK.

Frydays of Kendal is one of six North West establishments, alongside Flyde Fish Bar in Southport, Merseyside; Seniors in St Annes, Lancashire; The Big Blue in Warrington, Cheshire; The Codfather in Northwich, Cheshire; and The Esk Café in Longtown, Cumbria.

The competing shops have had their frying skills put to the test as well as being judged against vigorous criteria, including menu development and innovation, sustainable sourcing policies, staff training processes, and marketing techniques.

Over the coming weeks 60 shops across the country will be whittled down to a ‘Top 20’, then ‘Top 10’, before the final stage of judging in London in January 2018.

Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive at Seafish, said: “This award showcases the best of the best, the local fish and chip shops that we all love to eat from.

"The calibre of shops in this year’s top 60 is outstanding – they are a true representation of our industry and sum up perfectly why British fish and chips are, and will always be, the best in the world.”

Reigning champions Nikki Mutton and Craig Maw of Kingfisher Fish & Chips in Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, added: “We were absolutely elated when we won the title of best fish and chip shop as part of the 2017 National Fish & Chip Awards. We’ve been so busy serving our brilliant customers that we’ve had to hire more than 10 new members of staff since winning the title in January.”

The winner of the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 30th anniversary ceremony in London on January 25, 2018.

For more information or to view the full shortlist visit www.fishandchipawards.com or follow @FishnChipAwards #FishnChipAwards.