STAFF at a Marlow fish and chip shop are frying high after being named the best in Bucks.

Marlow Bottom Fish Bar has been awarded the prize in the annual Choice Chip Awards, organised by industry group the Potato Council.

The awards are run to coincide with National Chip Week, which began on Monday, and reward the restaurants with the tastiest chips in the country as voted for by customers.

Staff at the Marlow Bottom eatery chopped, battered and fried their way to to winning the coveted prize, after beating off competition from other hopeful chippies throughout the county.

Owner Gav Singh said: "It's great to win as it's been a difficult start to the year, not least because potato prices are up to 400 per cent higher after a due to a bad crop and we have to absorb that.

"It's great for staff morale too, it's brilliant for them. After all, it's their willingness to work hard and put in a massive effort that won it for us."

To celebrate the victory, Gav and his staff put on a free feast for lucky customers on Tuesday, including Marlow Mayor Suzanne Brown, who came along to taste the award-winning food for herself.

Loyal customer Tim Haddock, who has been visiting the chip shop for 20 years, said: "As far as chip shops go, this one is top of the table. We've been to others but it's just not the same.

"The staff are brilliant, they cook mine freshly to order just right every time and the portions are just huge. It's a victory for chip lovers everywhere!"

This year’s Chip Week saw over 840 fish and chip shops sign up to the awards, which were given on a regional and national basis with record numbers of votes cast.

Caroline Evans at Potato Council, said: "Britain is truly a nation of chip lovers and Chip Week is a fantastic celebration of our great food tradition.

"It’s no surprise so many voted in the Choice Chip Awards this year - the British public feel very strongly about their local chippy and are prepared to take the trouble to vote to put their favourite on the map."

The Potato Council is the voice of the potato industry, paid for via a levy on growers and producers.

More than 1.6 million tonnes of potatoes grown each year in the UK are made into chips, with over 382m portions of fish and chips sold each year.