WOLLASTON Fish Bar has been named as one of the Midlands’ top five fish and chip shops.

The Bridgnorth Road chippy now aims to ‘batter’ its competition to become the region’s winner of the 2016 National Fish and Chip Awards.

To get to this stage and secure a ‘plaice’ in the shortlist, shops have been appraised across a variety of judging criteria including responsible sourcing policies, marketing and promotional practices and staff training policies.

Throughout the coming weeks, they will be subjected to further judging as they receive mystery shopping assessments by industry experts.

Paul Williams, chief executive of award organisers Seafish, said: “It’s great to see so many excellent shops through to this stage of the competition.

“I’d like to offer up my congratulations and wish them the best as they prepare to continue their quest towards winning a regional title, but also thank them for consistently helping us to reinforce the UK’s reputation as the home of the world’s best fish and chips.”

The ultimate prize for the Wollaston shop, which last year were handed a Quality Award from The Federation of Fish Friers, is to become the overall winners and receive the title of Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year.

The other four shortlisted chip shops in the Midlands are SeaFish Restaurant in Ripley, Derbyshire, Shaws Fish & Chips in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, Pisces in Thrapston, Northamptonshire, and Simpsons Fish & Chips in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.