A RESTAURANT owner has defended the chip buttie after it came under attack from Lancashire Evening Telegraph readers.

Steve Woods, of The Friendly Fryer, Hindle Street Darwen, said people constantly knock the old favourite for being unhealthy without being aware of the facts.

This follows an article in Tuesday's paper that said research revealed the chip buttie failed to get into the top three favourite sandwiches.

When we asked East Lancashire folk for their best buttie most revealed their love for what they judged healthy fillings, such as chicken or banana.

But Steve said there was 11.1 per cent fat in fish, chips and peas -- less than in chicken curry with rice or burger, chips and barbecue sauce.

He added that they provided energy, protein, calcium, iron and vitamins.

The Friendly Fryer is the only chip shop in Blackburn and Darwen to get a Seafish Industry Authority quality award, which rewards a restaurant that is judged to have first class food and a superb cooking environment.

So Steve believes that a lot of people are put off chippies because of bad publicity but he explained: "If fish and chips are cooked correctly at the right temperature and if the potatoes are looked after you are cooking a chip that won't have much fat.

"It's a traditional dish and supported by many top chefs so people shouldn't knock it."