A POPULAR chip shop was forced to temporarily close after it was ransacked.

The Chefs Chippy, on Newgate Street, in Bishop Auckland, was boarded up following the incident over the weekend.

Following the burglary, police have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of burglary and causing criminal damage.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

A spokesperson from Durham Police said: "We were called at 1.10am on Sunday, November 3, to reports of a break in at The Chef’s Chippy, on Newgate Street, in Bishop Auckland.

"Anyone with any information which could help the investigation is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 29 of November 3."

The shop owner said the chippy is now open.