A BARNARD Castle fish and chip shop is in the running for a top award on a competition dubbed the “Oscars” of the industry.

Fish and Chips at 149 is one of six in the north of England battling it out for the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award.

It is one of 15 categories in the 2018 National Fish and Chip Awards.

Others in the running include Sidhu Fish & Chips in Wallsend; Miller’s Fish and Chips in Haxby, York; Mister C’s in Selby, South Yorkshire; Towngate Fisheries in Bradford, and Pantrini’s Fish and Chips in Whitley Bay.

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.

Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish, said: “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.”

The winner will be announced on January 25.