A HAGLEY fish frier has been named among the best in the country after winning a place in the finals of a national award scheme.

James Houlston, of Our Plaice in Worcester Road, has been named as one of the UK’s top 10 young fish friers by the 2017 National Fish and Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

To win his spot in the finals of the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Award, the 22-year-old, who also runs Our Plaice in Kidderminster, has so far undergone exams and interviews conducted by senior industry experts.

Over the coming weeks Mr Houlston from Hagley, who made the finals last year, must undergo a skills assessment and interview at the National Federation of Fish Friers Training School in Leeds.

Briar Wilkinson, sales director at Drywite Ltd, said: "Once again the standard of this year’s entries has been exceptionally high.

"It is encouraging to see so many young friers are passionate about safeguarding the future of our industry.”

Marcus Coleman, chief Eexecutive at Seafish, added: "The aim of the National Fish and Chip Awards has always been to showcase the very best fish and chip businesses in the UK while setting incredibly high standards for the industry to aspire to, and the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Award is no exception.

“Each year this category gets stronger and more competitive - to reach the top 10 in a UK wide competition is a great achievement in itself.”

Caroline Howard, who owns Our Plaice with husband Gregg, said: “It’s great to think out of the whole of the UK he’s in the top 10. We’re really pleased for him. He’s so good at what he does.”

The shortlist will be cut to five finalists who will compete to be crowned champion on January 26, 2017, at a ceremony in London.