COLNE'S Cemetery Chippy has been named runner-up in the race for the 2001 Fish and Chip Shop of the Year title.

Les and Val Scott travelled to London for the finals of the competition after winning a place as North West regional winners.

They were denied the title at the last hurdle by Allsports Fish and Chip Shop of Gwynedd in North Wales but Les said they would be back even more determined next year.

The finalists were asked to do a presentation about their individual businesses and the results were announced at an awards lunch at the Cafe Royal, organised by the Sea Fish Authority.

The couple's regional winners trophy was presented by guest of honour Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and they also received a certificate and silver plaque.

Les said: "This has been a big learning curve and I have picked up a lot of ideas so we are going to try and win the big one next year.

"We were proud and happy to have won the regional finals and reach London and thrilled to finish runners-up.

"I was nervous about doing my presentation. The hardest thing is standing in front of 14 people from our industry with each looking for something different. Apparently we were only two or three marks behind the winner. But we now know other things we can work on for next year."