SIX East Lancashire fish and chip shops are in the running for the title of Britain's best chippy.

They are among 55 North West entrants in the National Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Competition 2004.

The winner will be shortlisted for the overall UK award, to be announced in January 2005.

Satisfied customers have just two weeks to vote for their favourite chippy by filling out nomination forms which are available in participating shops.

Organised by the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) the awards are now in their 17th year. The most highly sought after in the fish and chip world, they aim to recognise the hard work and quality of the industry.

Fish and chips are Britain's number one take-away with more than 283million meals sold per year. In Lancashire people eat more than 20 million meals a year.

The chippies now preparing to do battle Th'old Town Chippy in Burnley Road, Padiham; Woone Lane Chip Shop in Woone Lance, Clitheroe; Our Plaice in Bolton Street, Ramsbottom; Bryan Street Chippy in Bryan Street, Blackburn; The Olde Mill Hill Chip Shop, New Chapel Street, Blackburn; and Captain Cod, High Street, Hoddlesden. Andrea's Chippy in Stansfield Road, Todmorden, has also been nominated for the awards.