A popular Cumbrian chip shop is vying to be named as Britain's best.

The Esk Cafe in Longtown has been named as a north west finalist in the National Fish & Chip Awards.

It is up against six other chippies going for glory in the region and is one of two contenders from Cumbria.

The English Street eatery - in its current guise and under its former name of the Border Cod - has long attracted people from far and wide because of the quality of food that it serves up.

It is now going up against some other top-class chippies to try and be crowned best in the north west.

And the regional winner will then go on to battle to see who has the best batter nationally.

The awards are organised by fishing industry lobbying group Seafish to celebrate the country's great fish and chip shop traditions.

Seafish chief executive Marcus Coleman said: "This award showcases the best of the best, the local fish and chip shops that we all love to eat from.

"The calibre of shops this year is outstanding – they are a true representation of our industry and sum up perfectly why British fish and chips are, and will always be, the best in the world."

The other regional contenders are Frydays of Kendal in Kendal, Cumbria; Flyde Fish Bar in Southport, Merseyside; Seniors in St Annes, Lancashire; The Big Blue in Warrington, Cheshire; The Codfather in Northwich, Cheshire.

The Esk Cafe is no stranger to high-profile praise with former prime minister David Cameron visiting while on the election trail in 2010 - later writing to praise the food he enjoyed.

Bosses were delighted with their shortlisting, sharing the news with followers on their Facebook page.

They wrote: "So excited. Fabulous effort from all the staff and thanks to our loyal customers. Fingers crossed for the finals."

The winner of the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 30th anniversary ceremony in London on January 25 next year.