SHAP Chippy has bagged itself yet another award and now has its sights set on a national title.

It has been named Cumbria's Best Fish and Chip Shop in the Cumbria Retail Business Awards 2019, part of England's Business Awards, and will now go on to compete against other regional winners in a bid to be crowned the best in England.

Owners Matt and Ashley Phillips said it was an honour to picked up he prestigious award at a ceremony at Carlisle's Hallmark Hotel on Sunday. "We are literally over the moon," said Matt. "We work so hard as an independent business to be the best for our customers and this award recognises that."

It's their second accolade since taking over the award-winning business in July last year.

In October Shap Chippy earned its Quality Award from the National Federation of Fish Friers but Matt said this has been thanks to the support of their customers and means a lot.

"It has completely come out of the blue. It has all come from customers," he said. "We had so much customer feedback we were the overall winner. It has all come from the general public and that is the biggest thing you can get."

The awards are nominated and voted for by the general public before mystery shoppers ensure the food, hygiene standards and customer service are of the highest standard.

Ashley said: "We are a multi award winning Fish and Chip shop and it really helps put our village on the map and helps make Shap a destination to visit."

He and Matt previously worked in retail and hospitality but wanted their own business. They moved to Cumbria from Essex after coming across Shap Chippy and falling in love with the area.

Shap Chippy was established in 2013 by former owners Jo Hampson and Georgina Perkins after the previous fish and chip shop had been closed down. They renovated the building and created an award-winning business.

Matt and Ashley inherited the successful business and its thriving reputation but were keen to put their own stamp on the place.

They recently introduced a monthly gluten free evening - which takes place on the last Monday of each month - after completing a Coeliac UK training course, to ensure food is suitable for those who must avoid traces of gluten at all costs.

The final takes place at York Racecourse on June 23.