STAFF at a fish and chip shop in Pershore are celebrating after learning their efforts have been recognised nationally for the quality they serve up to customers.

Newlands Fish Bar has received the prestigious National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) quality award which is given for serving up the highest quality fish and chips following a thorough assessment of the premises, equipment, working practices, hygiene standards and management controls.

Newlands Fish Bar owner Harry Christodoulou said: “We are very pleased to receive this prestigious award. To be recognized as one of the top fish and chip shops by the NFFF is indeed an honour and a credit to our hardworking staff.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks for their continued hard work and efforts to maintain our excellent reputation.

“The award doesn't just represent the fish and chips we produce, but also the hard work and high quality produce our local suppliers provide us to work with.”

The quality awards are run by NFFF to raise standards in the fish and chip trade and enhance the reputation of the industry.

The scheme is a way of rewarding and promoting shops that provide good quality products and high standards of hygiene, as well as friers who show a high level of competence.

To qualify, each shop has to go through an inspection by an NFFF Approved Assessor who assesses the shop’s presentation, hygiene and cleanliness, staff training, equipment, frying and sales skills and most importantly the quality of the cooked product.

This award sets the new benchmark for quality within the industry. It will signal to the consumer that they can buy with confidence where the award is displayed, and it will encourage more outlets to raise their standards.

Each Fish and Chip Quality Award is valid for two years and retention is dependent on standards being maintained as validated by NFFF officials and appointed assessors.

NFFF training and accreditation manager Richard Wardell said: "Newlands Fish Bar clearly takes pride in where it sources its fish and potatoes from.

“Achieving the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award provides reassurance to customers that they are being served cooked food using high-quality ingredients. It’s a great achievement for such a new organisation.”

Currently around 250 fish and chip outlets across the country have been recognised with the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award.