A TAVISTOCK fish and chip shop is out of the frying pan and into the final of the independent takeaway of the year award, after being announced as the top shop in the south west.

The Tavi Friar was named as South West England's top fish and chip shop in the flagship Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award category of the 2014 National Fish and Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

The Tavistock shop is one of ten, each representing 'regions' across the UK. Each has been put through a rigorous process where they have been assessed on every aspect of running a fish and chip business from food quality to marketing initiatives and staff training policies.

The top ten will now enter the final fry off as they put all their remaining efforts into one final presentation to be made in front of a 'Dragons Den'-style panel of media and industry judges.

The outcome will determine who will take the title of the UK's best Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year home with them.

John Murphy, owner of The Tavi Friar, said: 'We're immensely proud of the Tavi Friar reaching the final stage of this major award. We've put in a lot of hard work but of course it's all been worth it now that we'll be heading to London next year for the grand final.

'Everyone at the shop is passionate about delivering a high-quality product and service, so this proves that's exactly what we're offering. We're committed to high standards right across the board and to be recognised as one of the top takeaways in the country is just brilliant.

'We'll continue to keep the bar high and with a bit of luck we might be taking the prize home with us come January!'

A full shortlist of all the nominees can be found at http://www.fishandchipawards.com">www.fishandchipawards.com

The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Lancaster London hotel on January 22, hosted by Michelin-starred chef and TV personality Jean Christophe Novelli, the day after they deliver their presentation to the panel.

Paul Williams, chief executive of Seafish, said: 'The independent takeaway category is extremely challenging and these ten finalists are to be commended for reaching this stage. Standards have been exceptionally high this year and every one of these businesses is a credit to the industry they represent.'

These ten regional winning shops will also be invited on a study trip later in October to Ålesund, Norway, organised by award sponsor the Norwegian Seafood Council, to see first-hand why Norway is regarded as one of the world's most sustainable fishing nations.