An award-winning Lancaster chip shop could scoop another top gong after being nominated as one of the best in the country.

Hodgson's Chippy, on Prospect Street, will fry off against nine other fish and chip shops to try and scoop the 2005 national chippy of the year competition.

The shops are awaiting a visit from a mystery judge who will score each of them on factors including the quality of their food, customer service and hygiene.

The top shop in Cumbria and Lancashire and 18 other competition areas will then be announced in September.

A further round of in-depth judging will determine the top 10 in the country in October prior to a grand final to be held at the Tower Thistle Hotel in London.