TEN fish and chip shops are set to battle it out to be crowned the best in the North-East.

The shops are taking part in the National Fish and Chip Shop of the Year competition, and one will be crowned regional champion.

One chippie in England will take the title of the country's best shop.

The shortlisted North-East shops are: Beedles Chippy, in Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland; Coxhoe Fish Bar, in Coxhoe, County Durham; The Right Place, Darlington; Deedles Chippy, in Tindale Crescent, Bishop Auckland; Fryer's Plaice, Hexham; The Golden Chippy, in South Shields; Mister Cod, in Sunderland; Frosts, Kenton; Beedles Chippy, Shildon; and Springs, in Houghton-le-Spring.

The shops will be visited by a mystery judge who will score each of them on factors including the quality of their fish and chips, customer service and hygiene.

The top shop in the North-East and the 18 other competition areas will be announced next month.

A further round of judging will determine the top ten shops in the country in October. The final will be held at the Tower Thistle Hotel, in London, next February, at a ceremony attended by celebrity chef Brian Turner.

Andy Gray, project manager for the competition, said: "The judging is well underway and already we are seeing an excellent calibre of entrants. It's going to be a tricky decision as the shops all work very hard to keep their standards so high."