A CHIPPY has been crowned a prince of the potatoes, casting thousands of competitors into the fryer, after scooping third in a contest to find the best fries around.

Marlow Bottom Fish Bar made it into the top three of South East Perfect Portion Award organised by the Potato Council as part of the National Chip Week.

It was the only Buckinghamshire eatery nominated and beat scores of chip shops from Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire among others.

However, it missed out on a special visit from television star Keith Chegwin, who will present winners Zenith Fish Bar on Shakespeare Avenue in Andover with their award.

More than 15,000 votes were cast by fans of the fried potato snack for shops, restaurants and pubs in the region.