A FISH and chip shop has netted a second top honour for a family firm.

Crossroads Chippy, at Tindale Crescent, near Bishop Auckland, has been awarded a fryers' quality award by the Seafish Industry Authority (SIA).

Less than a month earlier, brothers David and Peter Beadle, who own the shop, landed the honour for their Cockton Hill shop, Beadle's.

David, 43, said: "It was good to be awarded it once, but twice is wonderful.

"We, and all our staff, work hard to produce good food and service and also behind the scenes, these awards prove that.

"We've just taken over Crossroads Chippy, refitted the interior and extended the menu and opening hours to accommodate residents and workers from all the businesses in nearby St Helen's."

The shop is open from 7.30am to 11pm daily, offering a menu which includes bacon sandwiches, pizzas, stew and dumplings, and fish and chips.

Eleanor Nicholls, a quality advisor for the SIA, said shops had to pass 290 hygiene and quality checks for the award.

Only four per cent of the country's 8,500 fish and chip shops hold the award.

She said: "Fish and chips has always been seen as a cheap takeaway, but this award shows that the very best preparation, products and service are used."

Douglas Colbeck, of Henry Colbeck food industry suppliers, said: "We encourage shops to go for the award, and are thrilled that Beadle's has won it twice, because it tells customers how good the shop is overall."