THREE Stourbridge chippies have made it into the fish and chip industry's equivalent of the Michelin Star Guide.

Merchants of Stourbridge in Worcester Street, Stourbridge; Oldswinford Fish and Chips in Hagley Road, Oldswinford; and Wollaston Fish Bar in Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, have been included in The Official Guide to the UK’s Quality Fish and Chip Shops - published by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF).

The scheme identifies fish and chip outlets that have undergone a thorough assessment of the premises and equipment, the working practices, hygiene standards and management controls, together with the quality and taste of the fish and chips. Setting the benchmark for quality within the industry, it signals to the consumer they can buy with confidence where the logo is displayed and it aims to encourage more outlets to raise their standards.

NFFF president Andrew Crook said "The NFFF Quality Award showcases the leading fish and chip takeaways across the land, the shops that we all love to buy our fish supper from.

Stourbridge News:

"The NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award assessment is extremely comprehensive. Food safety is a key area that we examine together with other key aspects of the business including the preparation and cooking equipment, to the management of paperwork and the traceability of fish.

"Achieving the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award provides reassurance to customers that they are being served delicious food using high-quality ingredients. We encourage anyone who loves fish and chips to look out for the 'BIG Q' Quality Award sign in the shop window."