A FISH and chip shop in Bradford has picked up an industry quality award, making it the only shop in West Yorkshire to hold the title continuously for 12 years.

Towngate Fisheries in Idle has received the National Federation of Fish Friers Fish and Chip Quality Award, weeks after being named in the Fry Magazine's Best 50 Fish and Chip Takeaways of 2017.

To qualify for the award from the trade body each shop has to go through an inspection which looks at hygiene and cleanliness, staff training, equipment, frying and sales skills and the quality of the cooked product.

Mark Drummond, owner of Towngate Fisheries said: “We are delighted to achieve both prestigious awards. To be recognized as one of the top fish and chip shops by the NFFF and FRY Magazine is indeed an honour and a credit to our hardworking staff who I would like to offer my sincere thanks for their continued hard work and efforts to maintain our excellent reputation.

"To hold the NFFF Quality Award doesn't just represent the fish and chips we produce, but also the hard work and high quality produce our local suppliers provide us to work with and have done for the past 12 years!”

NFFF president Gregg Howard said: "The NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award assessment is extremely comprehensive. Food safety is a key area that we examine together with other key aspects of the business including the preparation and cooking equipment, to the management of paperwork and the traceability of fish.

"Towngate Fisheries clearly takes pride in where it sources its fish and potatoes from,” he added. "Achieving the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award provides reassurance to customers that they are being served cooked food using high-quality ingredients.”

Currently around 250 fish and chip shops across the country have been recognised with the quality award.