HYNDBURN is tops for fish and chips - that is the message after four of its chippies battered the competition to scoop a national award.

Woody's, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington's Andy's Fish and Chips, in Marlborough Road, Tracy's Fish Bar, in Whalley Road, and York Street Chippy, in York Street, scooped the Seafish Friers Quality Award.

The borough came second in the Lancashire league after Blackpool, which scooped five, but beat the rest in East Lancashire to become champions of the region.

Burnley came in with two awards, Darwen, Colne and Rossendale only managed one while Blackburn's chippies drew a blank.

The four fryers join 400 chippies across the country that hold the award set up by the Seafish Industry Authority to raise standards in 1996.

Steve Wood, of Woody's said: "It's great to know we're doing something right. We're over the moon. I've put a banner up outside the shop saying we are the only one Oswaldtwistle to get the award.

"It's great that Oswaldtwistle has an award winning chippy of its own but its great for Hyndburn as well."

Each shop has to pass thorough checks by a Seafish approved inspector who assesses the shop's image, design, condition, training, equipment, frying, sales skills and quality of cooked products.

Jim Hyam, Seafish quality assurance adviser, said: "Only fish and chip shops that meet our requirements get the award, but the four certainly demonstrated very high standards and great fish and chips."

Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, Coun Peter Britcliffe, said: "It adds to everything else the borough has to offer. To finish right behind Blackpool is great."