A CUMBRIAN chip shop has been named among a small list of finalists battling it out in the national Fish and Chip Awards.

Shap Chippy, on Main Street in the village, is in the running for the prestigious award, which will be revealed in London on January 23.

The takeaway faces competition from other eateries across the country, including Aberdeenshire, Cheshire, Denon and Nottinghamshire.

As a thank you for their continued support, the UK’s 10 best fish and chip shops will be dishing out free fish suppers to their first 20 customers today (Friday, January 17) at 11.30am, then again at 4.30pm when they re-open as a thank you for their continued support.

Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish - the organisation that runs the awards - said: “Those who have been shortlisted as a finalist for the flagship award is a phenomenal achievement and we hope people will cheer on their local shop.

“We wish them all the best of luck next week.”

The winner of the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 32nd anniversary awards ceremony in London on January 23.

To view the full shortlist, go online to: http://www.fishisthedish.co.uk/win/national-fish-chip-awards.