A BRADFORD fish and chip shop has been crowned the healthiest chippy in the country at the National Fish & Chip Awards.

Towngate Fisheries in Idle picked up the Healthy Eating Award at the ceremony, held at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London today.

The awards are known as the 'Oscars' of the fish frying industry.

Towngate picked up the award in 2015, and was also nominated for the 'Fields to Fryer' award this year, but lost out to Krispies in Exmouth.

Shop owner Mark Drummond collected the award from host Nigel Barden, food and drink expert on Radio 2.

He said: “We won this category two years ago so to be named the winner again, and know that we’re the only shop to have ever won the same category twice, is an incredible achievement.

“We’re a local community takeaway that prides itself in doing things just as well, if not better, than the big chains.

"We provide all our customers with calorie information, show videos highlighting nutritional content and inform them of where their food comes from; we feel it’s important to tell the story of our product rather than just selling and serving.

“The shop has a small but very dedicated team that’s been with me for a long time. I can’t wait to take the next step in our journey together.”

Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish, which runs the awards, added: “Following their success in 2015, this is the second time that Towngate Fisheries have been crowned the champions of this award.

"Their skill, passion and determination to highlight the importance of offering customer’s healthier alternatives is unrivalled; they are true ambassadors for our nation’s favourite takeaway.”