AN award winning fish and chip shop has opened a new branch in Kidderminster.

Our Plaice, a family-run business originally based in Hagley, opened in Comberton Hill with a special ceremony on Monday.

The firm has a high profile in the fish and chip industry, having won a series of awards since opening in 2003.

It was voted UK fish and chip shop of the year in 2005, while employee, Ian Allsop, was named young fish fryer of the year in April.

The Hagley branch also won the Sea Quality Award from industry body, Seafish, and owners, Gregg and Caroline Howard, hoped to meet the same standards with the new branch.

Mrs Howard said: “It’s quite something for a business in a landlocked area to win these prestigious awards, since most of the top UK shops are coastal.

“We have high hopes for the new shop and we think it’s really important to bring business to the Comberton Hill area.”

The firm has featured on BBC TV show, Ready Steady Cook and GMTV and, in July 2005, Mr and Mrs Howard were presented to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as ambassadors for the industry.

Mrs Howard added the business’s reputation had spread farther than she realised. She explained: “A customer spotted our name in British Airways’ in-flight magazine, which listed the best places in the world for fish and chips. It suggested Sydney, New York, the Bahamas and Hagley.”