A WOMAN who had never run a takeaway before has gone on to win best fish and chip Shop in Northern England.

Pam Jefferson of Swainby, near Stokesley in North Yorkshire, took over the running of a village chippy last year.

Ms Jefferson, who had never run a takeaway before but had previous experience running a pub, decided to take on the Osmotherley Fish and Chip takeaway, near Northallerton, following an opportunity for its owners to hand over the reins to someone else.

Almost eight months into the running of the shop the sole trader and four of her staff were recognised for their efforts at the North Yorkshire Business Awards.

Then last Sunday, June 23, the takeaway was was named the best in Northern England at the England Business Awards event at York Racecourse.

On the night, Ms Jefferson brought her granddaughter, Jessica, for moral support.

Speaking after achieving the accolade, Ms Jefferson said: “I was gob-smacked, I’d never run a fish shop before.

“It’s been quite exciting, the anticipation leading up to it has been very good.

“My customers, my supporters have been amazing.

“People have been commenting on my social media."

She added: “I was up against another five fish and chip shops in the end. My shop is so tiny, it is in the middle of a village, I just couldn’t believe it.

“I am absolutely delighted.

“I’d like to thank my customers for voting for me, it’s down to them that I have won.”

The award-winner was up against rivals from fish and chip establishments across the entire North of England.

Ms Jefferson took over the takeaway after it had closed, which she says had affected the village badly.

She said: “The village was missing it and it needed to be open again.

“I took it on in July, last year, and I’ve never looked back really.

“I added new things to the menu, and haven given the customers what they want.”