A FAMILY shop has been named as having the best chips in the region.

Fish Face in Seaton Carew, Hartlepool won the Choice Chip Awards title in the Potato Council competition held to mark Chip Week 2013.

More than 500 shops competed for ten regional titles, which were voted for by the public.

Owner Dave Atkinson said: “It’s the fact that it’s come from the public, our customers, that makes this special. We couldn’t be more pleased.”

The shop has been run by the Atkinson family since June 2011 and this is the first time it has been entered.

David Atkinson has been in the chip shop business for many years, supplying frying equipment and running a takeaway with wife Susan.

They bought Fish Face takeaway and restaurant, putting son Dave and his wife Nicola at the helm of the restaurant with other son Shane managing the restaurant business.

David said: “We know a thing or two about producing tasty chips. It’s all down to quality ingredients and equipment, having a top notch method and proper staff training, all of which we have here.”